BANG Showbiz English
The Weeknd has insisted ‘The Idol‘ sex scenes aren’t meant to be “sexy”.
The 33-year-old singer and actor – whose real name is Abel Tesfaye – has responded to backlash over the intimate scenes in the second episode of the HBO show, with fans branding the series “torture porn”.
Asked if the scene in episode two was meant to be “overtly sexy” for viewers, he told GQ magazine: “No. There’s nothing sexy about it. When we use ‘Basic Instinct’ as a reference, we’re using Verhoeven.
“Verhoeven is the king of ‘90s satire thriller—yes, there’s moments of ‘sexy’ in his films but there are other moments that are very cheesy and hilarious.
“How ever you’re feeling watching that scene, whether it’s discomfort, or you feel gross, or you feel embarrassed for the characters.
“It’s all those emotions adding up to: This guy is in way over his head, this situation is one where he is not supposed to be here.”
Meanwhile, the star insisted the idea of not having a “consistent tone” has been deliberate.
He explained: “With this show, we love to play with the emotions. We’re puppet-mastering your feelings through the show.
“It’s never a consistent tone, and that’s on purpose. No matter how dark a scene is, you can find the comedy in it.”
His co-star Lily-Rose Depp, the daughter of Johnny Depp, also previously defended the show’s explicit scenes and creator Sam Levinson against accusations he has turned his new drama into “torture porn and a rape fantasy”.
She said at the Cannes Film Festival about her rising singer star character: “Jocelyn is a born and bred performer – and I think that extends to every aspect of her life, not just her professional life…
“I also think that the occasional bareness of the character physically mirrors the bareness that we get to see emotionally in her.
“I was given the privilege of being really involved in the creation of this character and the ins and outs of how she expresses herself.”
LINK LOVE
 |  |  |
| Ryan Murphy is mad that everyone hates his version of JFK Jr & Carolyn Bessette (Celebitchy) | The maddening twist ending to ‘We Were Liars’ explained (Pajiba) | Now Brad Pitt Is wearing a jumpsuit (Go Fug Yourself) |
 |  |  |
| A newly-out Anna Camp and her girlfriend Jade Whipkey make their red carpet (OMG Blog) | The frisky guys of Too Hot to Handle: Spain, handle it themselves (Boy Culture) | Zane Carter in Burberry trunks (Kenneth in the 212) |
HOT DEALS
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation featuring a totally transformed audio experience with Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode, and an updated fit for all-day comfort. [Walmart]
New Balance Gender Inclusive Made in USA 990v6 Sneaker
A best-selling runner keeps up the pace as a crossover street sneaker sporting the performance cushioning and streamlined profile that have maintained its status as an all-time winner. [Nordstrom Rack]
Like most websites, Socialite Life uses affiliate links where available, which means we earn a little commission if you click through and buy something. Also, as Amazon Influencers, we earn from qualifying purchases. Savings shown are those from the date and time of this article’s publication.
