Lily-Rose Depp Opens Up About ‘The Idol’ Backlash: “We Were Pushing Society’s Buttons”

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As a fervent admirer of Lily-Rose Depp, I can’t help but be captivated by her unwavering resilience and dedication to her craft. Her journey through the controversial HBO series, The Idol, has been nothing short of remarkable. It’s not every day you see an artist grow so publicly, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms while maintaining a deep sense of empathy for their collaborators.

Her experience on The Idol seemed to have served as a springboard for her transformation into the enigmatic Jocelyn in Nosferatu. I can’t help but marvel at how her physical and emotional growth on one project has translated so beautifully into another.

It’s no secret that Lily-Rose has an eye for unconventional roles, and her upcoming film, The Governesses, promises to be yet another testament to her fearless approach to acting. With a cast as intriguing as Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World) and Hoyeon (Squid Game), I can’t wait to see what this dynamic trio brings to the silver screen.

And now, for a little humor to lighten things up: With Lily-Rose at the helm, who knows? Maybe The Governesses will be the next big thing in the world of period dramas… or perhaps it’ll be the first in a new genre: “Gothic Comedies with a Twist.” I can already picture it now – corsets, capers, and clever one-liners galore!

Actress Lily-Rose Depp, who played a role in the film Nosferatu, discussed her brief stint on HBO’s series The Idol. She explained that she, co-star The Weeknd, and creator Sam Levinson purposefully challenged societal norms through its explicit content by intentionally pressing society’s buttons.

In a conversation with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, Depp shared that the hardest part of the series receiving criticism was the unfavorable remarks directed towards the show’s creator, Levinson.

What I found disappointing was hearing disrespectful comments about Sam, a friend I hold dear and consider part of my family. I’m very close to him and his wife Ashley – a producer on the show – and they are truly remarkable individuals, exceptionally kind, and have been incredibly supportive towards me.

Johnny Depp consistently stood by his colleague, Levinson, even following the 2023 Rolling Stone expose that detailed claims of a hostile work environment on the show, and allegations that he relied excessively on explicit scenes for support. However, the actress asserts her differing opinion:

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Despite the 2023 Rolling Stone report that exposed accusations about Levinson’s creation of a difficult work atmosphere on set and his over-reliance on unnecessary sex and nudity, Johnny Depp continued to support him. The actress, however, expresses her disagreement with this stance:

As a film enthusiast with years of experience in the industry, I can attest that nothing is more disheartening than hearing others speak negatively about a fellow artist, especially when their words are blatantly untrue. During a particular time period, I witnessed this very scenario unfold, and it left me feeling disillusioned. The person being targeted was a talented filmmaker, someone whose work had touched my heart and inspired me in countless ways.

To hear others denigrate him, to tarnish his reputation with baseless accusations and unfounded criticism, was not only upsetting but also infuriating. It felt like a slap in the face, a betrayal of the very community that should have been supporting and nurturing each other’s creativity.

I can understand that people may have their disagreements and differing opinions about art, but when those opinions are rooted in misinformation or malice, it can be devastating to the person being targeted. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards my friend, wanting to shield him from the hurtful words that were being flung his way.

In short, hearing people talk trash about your friend is just never a pleasant experience. It’s a reminder of the uglier side of humanity and the need for greater empathy and understanding when it comes to artistic expression.

Nevertheless, Depp understands that there may be controversy surrounding a series like The Idol, designed to provoke and unsettle. She added:

It had an uncanny quality to it, not just because we anticipated controversy – after all, that comes with the territory – but also because we deliberately nudged societal norms a bit. And yes, it drew the reactions it did, but I’m comfortable with that approach. It’s the kind of work I appreciate and am ready for.

Depp Calls Her Time on The Idol “A Real Growth Period” as an Actor and a Person

Johnny Depp deeply cherishes his role as Jocelyn in “The Idol,” attributing it to shaping and improving his acting in “Nosferatu.” In a conversation with Indiewire, he expressed this sentiment.

Working on ‘The Idol,’ both physically and emotionally, undeniably contributed to my readiness for ‘Nosferatu’ as it provided me with a wealth of knowledge. To be honest, ‘The Idol’ was a significant phase in my development as an actor and individual. I believe that the lessons I learned during ‘The Idol’ were instrumental in shaping my performance in ‘Nosferatu.’ Essentially, each role I play imparts some wisdom and propels me further along my artistic journey.

As a long-time admirer of Johnny Depp’s acting talent, I find myself eagerly awaiting his next move on the artistic stage. In 2022, the news that he would be starring in “The Governesses” directed by Joe Talbot, who brought us the critically acclaimed “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” piqued my interest. The film also features Renate Reinsve from “The Worst Person in the World” and Hoyeon from the global phenomenon “Squid Game.”

Given Depp’s storied career, I have high expectations for this project, despite the fact that details about it remain scarce. I’m reminded of the excitement I felt when he took on iconic roles like Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series or Ed Wood in “Ed Wood.”

Although updates about “The Governesses” have been few and far between, my anticipation only grows as I reflect on Depp’s ability to breathe life into complex characters. I can’t wait to see what he brings to this new role, and I hope that it will be another unforgettable performance in his impressive repertoire.

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2025-01-03 06:31