Lily-Rose Depp has defended her new series The Idol, explaining that all her nudity scenes are ‘really intentional’.
While Euphoria creator Sam Levinson’s new show has been widely slammed for pandering to the male gaze - specifically for the soaring amount of female nudity - Depp has shut down criticism.
During an interview with Vogue Australia, the 24 year old who plays popstar Jocelyn spoke of the show’s more risque scenes, explaining that she always knew she was making something ‘provocative’ that would divide viewers.
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“For me, the whole character and the show and her arc was really a collaboration through and through. We know that we’re making something provocative and we are not shying away from that,” she told the outlet.
The actor added that she had never felt ‘more respected and safe on a set’ which was spearheaded by creators Levinson and The Weekend, otherwise known by his real name Abel Tesfaye.
“I think the trust that we all built with each other, you and I, and Sam and I, and Abel and I, that can only make for a really safe-feeling set. So when it comes to the nudity and the risqué nature of the role, that to me was really intentional,” she said.
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“That was really important to me and something that I was excited about doing. I’m not scared of it. I think we live in a highly sexualised world. I think that’s an interesting thing to explore.”
However, it’s not just the nudity that has faced severe backlash, as many viewers have also taken issue with the show’s dialogue in the more intimate scenes.
In one particular scene, Tedros, played by Abel is seen fully-clothed while ordering Jocelyn, who is naked and wearing a blindfold, to fulfill his sexual fantasies as he watches her from afar.
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At one point during their encounter, he tells her to ‘f**kin’ stretch that tiny, little p****'.
Naturally, viewers were shook, as one wrote via Twitter: “I will never see The Weeknd the same after this.”
While another said: “He definitely gives me the ick after that episode.”
However, The Weeknd told GQ that the scene was never meant to be appealing and instead highlighted the problem with his character.
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“There’s nothing sexy about it,” Tesfaye said.
“However 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.”
Topics: News, Film and TV, Celebrity, The Weeknd