Is Lily Rose-Depp's The Idol Character Modelled After Britney Spears?
The creators of The Idol are under scrutiny for drawing too heavily from the life of the pop music icon. Here's their side of the story.
Sam Levinson's controversial new series, The Idol, has just premiered, and the discourse surrounding it seems to have permeated every corner of the internet. Notably, most reviews and commentary on the inaugural episode have been critical, centring specifically on the polarising character of pop singer Jocelyn, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, attempting to reclaim her stardom following a mental breakdown.
After seeing the episode, audiences are left grappling with a pressing question: Is the character of Jocelyn based on Britney Spears?
The character's narrative bears a striking resemblance to the real-life trajectory of the pop icon, complete with elements of conspiracy. Like Britney, Depp's character Jocelyn ascends to fame as a child star in children's television, subsequently transitioning to the music industry. Her career flourishes until it is abruptly derailed by a mental breakdown following her mother's death. Now, the former celebrity is keen on reclaiming the spotlight, and her new album's sound bears an uncanny resemblance to Spears' music during her notorious Blackout period.
Elements such as the suggestive choreography for the music video, the wardrobe choices, the photography, and even some of Jocelyn's mannerisms, coupled with her tumultuous relationship with the manipulative nightclub owner Tedros, portrayed by The Weeknd, all seem to hint at Britney Spears' life. However, the creators have vehemently denied any direct links in their interviews.
Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, where the show premiered, Sam Levinson referred to Spears as 'one of the greatest pop stars of all time' according to Deadline, but added that she was just one of numerous celebrities who inspired the show.
‘We’re not trying to tell a story about any particular pop star,’ he said. ‘We’re looking more at how the world perceives pop stars and the pressure it puts on that individual.’
The Weeknd, who not only stars but also serves as a co-creator and executive producer of the show, echoed Levinson's sentiments in an interview with The New York Times.
‘It’s not about Britney at all, but how could we not pull inspiration from Britney, from Madonna, from every pop star that’s gone through any kind of serious pain?’
Lily-Rose Depp told Extra that her inspiration stemmed from various pop stars as well as renowned actresses such as Sharon Stone and Gene Tierney.
'It's not based on anyone in particular,' she said. 'We're definitely not trying to tell anyone else's story, but definitely create one of our own.’
So, have the cast and crew of The Idol successfully carved their own narrative, or are they merely repackaging a fictionalised account of Britney Spears' life? The truth may be revealed in the upcoming episodes, set to air every Sunday on HBO in the forthcoming weeks.
Source: Deadline, The New York Times, Extra.