As the debut of his HBO series The Idol approaches, The Weeknd is opening up about the notorious article Rolling Stone ran about the show, which called it “twisted torture porn” that has gone “wildly, disgustingly off the rails.”
When the article first ran, he responded to it by posting a clip from The Idol in which his character, Tedros, dismisses the magazine as irrelevant. Now, he tells Vanity Fair, “I thought the article was ridiculous. I wanted to give a ridiculous response to it.”
He adds that he disagrees with everything in the article, while acknowledging that Hollywood, which the show is about, is “a dark place” that “makes for great art.” However, he thought the article was, as the magazine notes, “an indictment of his character.” He tells Vanity Fair that he’s nothing like the guy he plays in the show: Tedros, a cult leader who uses sex to control people.
“I don’t do anything,” Weeknd points out. “I’m at home with my dog and my close friends and my family. I get myself out of trouble as much as I can. I try not to stay at the party too long, I’m not that guy.”
In the Vanity Fair interview, the singer also added fuel to the fire regarding his recent comment that he wants to “kill” his alter ego. Discussing his future ambitions, he says, “If I direct, that’s all I’m gonna do. I’m not going to be The Weeknd.”
When asked to comment on his pal’s statement, Weeknd’s childhood friend and creative director, La Mar Taylor, tells Vanity Fair, “Abel says a lot of things. But at the same time, I’m like, Dude, shut the f*** up.”
The Idol debuts June 4 on HBO.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Get a peek into Steve Martin’s wild and crazy life in ‘Steve! (martin): A Documentary in Two Pieces’
March 29, 2024
Apple TV+The life story of celebrated comedian, actor, author, musician and playwright Steve Martin…
‘Carol Doda Topless at the Condor’ directors on the famous dancer’s impact
March 29, 2024
Getty, © Picturehouse 2024As March comes to a close, continue celebrating Women’s History Month by…
Kelly Clarkson tells fans not to “sleep” on new Ariana Grande album
March 29, 2024
Kelly Clarkson and Ariana Grande in 2021; Trae Patton/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty ImagesKelly…
Music notes: Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga and more
March 28, 2024
Mariah Carey is continuing to celebrate her 55th birthday — or anniversary, as she says. She posted…
Maroon 5 approves of Mick Jagger’s dance to their hit song
March 28, 2024
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for A&M/OctoneOn March 27, Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger posted a…
Keanu Reeves, Fisher Stevens prepping documentary on MMA legend Benny Urquidez
March 28, 2024
RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesKeanu Reeves knows his way around a martial arts mat, what with his…
In “Hell Together,” David Archuleta expresses his “joy” at leaving his religion — with his family
March 28, 2024
Irvin RiveraDavid Archuleta, who came out as queer in 2021, announced in 2023 that he was leaving…
Noah Kahan reflects on “surreal” first show of North American We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour
March 28, 2024
John Medina/Getty ImagesThe North American leg of Noah Kahan's We'll All Be Here Forever Tour…