Abel Tesfaye admits HBO show’s flaws, talks Hollywood lessons & redemption
Table of Contents
Honest Reflections
Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, finally broke his silence about HBO’s critically panned series “The Idol.”
In a candid chat with The Guardian, he admitted the negative reception “makes a lot of sense.”
The pandemic shifted their original film concept to television, forcing an awkward transition.
The rushed five-episode structure ultimately left viewers hanging without proper closure.
Production Problems
“It could have been great if it had a beginning, middle and end. It just ended on middle,” Tesfaye confessed with surprising frankness.
The show, co-created with Reza Fahim and Euphoria’s Sam Levinson, struggled with inconsistent passion from cast and crew.
You could feel the exhaustion seeping through the screen as everyone simply raced toward completion.
Hollywood Rookie Lessons
Despite his heavyweight music status, Tesfaye treaded carefully in Tinseltown.
“The worst thing you can be called in Hollywood is difficult,” he revealed with a knowing sigh.
As a newcomer to acting, he consciously avoided pushing back too hard.
Sometimes his gut screamed that things were off-track, but he swallowed his concerns.
Owning His Mistakes
“It’s completely my fault,” Tesfaye admitted about criticisms of the show’s troubling abuse portrayals.
He didn’t dodge responsibility or make excuses.
The singer acknowledged the sting of public judgment but recognized it comes with creative risk-taking.
The experience taught him hard lessons about creative control in unfamiliar territory.
Finding Redemption
Tesfaye has bounced back with his feature film debut in “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” now playing in theaters.
Working alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan helped ease his new-medium jitters.
“This experience was really introspective and cathartic,” he shared. The film process helped him process the television disappointment.
Creative Growth
Director Trey Edward Shults provided the supportive environment Tesfaye needed.
“I feel incredibly lucky to have Trey, Jenna, and Barry with me,” he gushed about his collaborators.
The film tackles emotional vulnerability and mental health, themes that clearly resonate with the artist.
This project marks a turning point in his evolution beyond music.