There’s a variety of chatter surrounding The Idol proper now, however there’s one factor that the present’s creator, Sam Levinson, is eager to clear up as soon as and for all.
In case you want a reminder, The Idol is an upcoming HBO collection, which is able to function Sam’s follow-up to his vastly profitable present, Euphoria.
From what we all know, The Idol stars Lily-Rose Depp as a troubled pop star named Jocelyn, who, after struggling a nervous breakdown, units out on a quest to grow to be “the most important touring act ever.”
In pursuit of an explosive comeback, Jocelyn enters right into a poisonous relationship with a sleazy self-help guru and cult chief named Tedros — performed by Abel Tesfaye (aka, The Weeknd) — and her world begins to crumble as she turns into “brainwashed” by him.
Ever for the reason that present was first introduced in June 2021, followers have speculated as as to whether the story might need taken inspiration from Britney Spears, whose conservatorship was clearly a serious level of debate over the previous few years.
And now, because the present’s premiere date edges nearer, extra comparisons have been drawn between the depiction of Lily-Rose’s Jocelyn, and the real-life Pop Princess herself.
What’s fascinating to notice is that Britney’s hyperlinks to the present don’t finish with its pointed commentary on how the trade treats younger pop stars. In reality, Britney has made reference to The Idol on a number of events, which has solely bolstered hypothesis that she could be concerned ultimately.
It’s unclear whether or not Britney was truly referring to the HBO collection. Nonetheless, it’s identified that The Idol began taking pictures in LA round this time earlier than manufacturing was finally placed on pause the next April.
In March 2022, Britney confirmed love for Sam in an extended Instagram caption, saying she’d simply began watching Euphoria and that she thought it was “wonderful.”
Two months later, it appeared Britney bought the possibility to bond with Sam in particular person, sharing a video of herself hanging out with the Euphoria director, in addition to Abel Tesfaye, who can also be credited as one of many creators of The Idol.
On the time, Britney’s husband, Sam Asghari, teased within the feedback part that she could be a “new Euphoria character,” whereas Abel confirmed his love by commenting with a pink coronary heart emoji.
As hypothesis mounted about what the meetup may imply, it was revealed that it was Britney’s assistant, Victoria “Vicky T” Asher, who deliberate for Britney to spend time with The Idol’s creators.
“So so glad I may make this stunning second occur,” Victoria wrote on her Instagram story on the time, noting that she and Sam are longtime mates. “This was very particular to me. Bringing legends I really like collectively.”
On prime of all this, the minds behind the present have additionally performed into the hypothesis by making a direct reference to Britney in the latest teaser trailer, which features a remixed model of her hit 2007 music, “Gimme Extra.”
After all, the pointed soundtrack alternative actually didn’t go unnoticed by followers who speculated within the feedback part on YouTube that “the story may be very reminiscent to Britney’s origin.”
So, when the primary two episodes of The Idol premiered on the Cannes Movie Competition on Monday, it was inevitable that Sam and Abel would face questioning over Britney’s involvement and the way she might need impressed the story.
Throughout a press convention on Tuesday, one journalist famous the “haunting” accuracy with which Jocelyn’s exploitation by the “trade machine” is portrayed, prompting them to ask how a lot of the character is impressed by Britney.
In response, Sam started by saying that, as a “child of the ’90s,” he grew up watching Britney’s profession, describing her as “one of many best pop stars of all time.”
Regardless of this, he was eager to emphasise that the script isn’t meant to be a retelling of her expertise, saying: “We’re not attempting to inform a narrative about any specific pop star.”
As an alternative, he defined that The Idol hopes to talk to wider points in Hollywood, primarily specializing in the best way younger stars will be corrupted and exploited by the trade.
“We’re trying extra at how the world perceives pop stars and the stress it places on that particular person,” he mentioned. “It’s a variety of stress — to need to continuously be on, and to be what everybody needs you to be. It’s a lonely life.”
He added: “We will all faux that everybody is searching for somebody’s greatest curiosity, however I feel fame actually corrupts; it’s very easy to encompass your self with myth-makers who proceed to prop us up.”
Whereas the script might not be impressed by Britney alone, it has been reported that the pop icon will get a point out within the first episode. However, we’ll have to attend till it premieres on June 4 to seek out out extra.