Fans on Social Media Say The Weeknd Is Wrecking His Career with “Disgusting” Soft Core Porn TV Series, “The Idol”: Record Sales Say They’re Correct

Is The Weeknd wrecking his music career with “The Idol”?

Fans who watched the second episode on HBO last night are more disappointed than freaking out on social media today.

In the 2nd episode, which desecrates John Lennon’s memory by calling itself “Double Fantasy,” The Weeknd appears in a soft core porn sequence that can only be described as disgusting. It’s also a teenager’s fantasy of some kind, so ridiculous you almost laugh out loud.

The Weeknd — Abel Tesfaye — also has dialogue that’s being mocked all over social media. I’m going to refrain from restating it here, but it’s completely vulgar and gross. Then he and the character Jocelyn, played by Lily Rose Depp (whose nipples are on record now forever from two episodes) engage in rough sex.

This is more than any pop star in their right mind would commit to film. The result is quite negative. Part of the reasoning for “The Idol”‘s existence is to sell records heard on the show. But already a single, called “Popular,” is a smashing dud on iTunes. “Popular” is being streamed on Spotify to any recorded numbers. Luminate, which records sales both physical and streaming, as well as airplay, shows an alarming down turn for The Weeknd in the last two weeks. “Popular” has had only 3,590 downloads so far.

I can’t imagine that The Weeknd’s record label, Republic Records, isn’t worried about what effect this will have on the singer’s future sales and albums. Or maybe no one cares. I guess we’ll see soon.

Here are some comments:

Now I’m terrified to watch the next episode of #TheIdolHBO I need a palette cleanser ready in the form of comedies or #wildnout

— mouse (it’s mauli omg) (@uhmchileanygays) June 12, 2023

Watched Ep. 1 of #TheIdolHBO last night. The criticism coming in was it was an oversexualized look at pop stardom. The criticism was correct. Sam Levinson treats toplessness like Succession treated f bombs.

— Pete Sirianni (@petersirianni) June 12, 2023

The acting & script is just atrocious I can’t even hate watch this anymore #TheIdolHBO

— Tommy (@T0MMYC_) June 12, 2023