The Idol director Sam Levinson ordered The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp to film a “disturbing” rape scene.
A witness told Page Six that a “rape scene” was filmed during last Sunday’s episode of the HBO drama The Idol but was later cut from the final edit.
The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp in The Idol
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The Weeknd (real name: Abel Tesfaye) plays Tedros, a nightclub owner turned opportunist, and Lily-Rose Depp plays the impressive rising pop star Jocelyn. The two film a sex scene in a bathroom when Levinson makes a request.
The director “explicitly instructed” Tedros to “choke” Jocelyn and “have sex without her consent”.
Although Tesfaye, 33, and Depp, 24, were both “following Sam’s instructions”, a source said most of those on set found the scene “extremely disturbing”.
The insider claims that Sam Levinson, 38, and the creative team are “committed to creating a safe, collaborative and respectful work environment on set, including having an intimacy coordinator for various scenes.”
The Idol premiered on June 4, receiving a lot of backlash for its content and sexual scenes. Depp, Tesfaye publicly defended the film and the producers.
Johnny Depp’s daughter Lily-Rose Depp told Vogue Australia earlier this week that the “nudity and risquéness” in her role was “really intentional”.
Director Sam Levinson, Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd (from left)
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“Honestly, I’ve never felt more respected and safe on set,” Lily told the magazine, crediting the “trust” she “built” with both Levinson and Tesfaye for making her feel comfortable.
Meanwhile, R&B singer The Weeknd – who co-created the film and is also an executive producer – told Variety last week that the overwhelmingly negative reaction to the film was “expected” and “exactly what the people making the film wanted.”
Fans were furious and The Idol will end early on July 2 after only airing five episodes, one episode less than the publisher originally planned.