The Weeknd responds to backlash over controversial sex scene in The Idol-Josie Copson-Entertainment – Metro

The Weeknd has defended sex scenes in The Idol (Picture: HBO)

The Weeknd has defended his controversial new show The Idol, after the sex scenes raised a few eyebrows.

The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, has co-created and co-written the HBO series in which he also stars as Tedros, the seedy leader of a modern-day cult, who meets troubled pop idol Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp).

The five-part series, which describes itself as the ‘sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood’, includes scandalous scenes involving instances of masturbation, choking and a subplot involving a photo of Jocelyn with bodily fluids on her face.

In the second instalment titled Double Fantasy, the last five minutes shows a fully-clothed Tedros ordering a naked and blindfolded Jocelyn to fulfil his sexual fantasies. At one stage, he says: ”F*****g’ stretch that tiny, little p****.’

However, Abel, 33, has insisted it was never meant to be sexy.

‘There’s nothing sexy about it,’ he stated.

During the show, we see the characters watching Basic Instinct, and he explained that this was an inspiration as while it contains moments of ‘sexy’, it is also ‘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,’ he explained to GQ.

The first two episodes were previously panned by critics, with some labelling it ‘torture porn’.

Viewers have been left shocked after watching the sex scenes (Picture: HBO)

Several people have slammed the explicit scenes, with one person seething: ‘Someone put the entire sex scene from the idol and.. let’s just say I lost respect for the weeknd I’m sorry I don’t care what you do but doing it on TV especially GRAPHICALLY is weird.’

‘I’m never going to see the weeknd the same again after seeing these clips from the idol..’ another added.

Speaking about the response in general, Abel said he was ‘loving it.’

He added with a laugh: ‘It’s definitely shaken up the culture for sure.

‘We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say.’

Lily Rose, 24, also reportedly has the support of dad Johnny Depp.

A source shared: ‘Johnny loves that Lily is carving out a career of her own and challenging herself to take on roles that interest her and test her.’

The insider added to Mail Online: ‘He believes that she must be doing something right since the role is getting so much attention, and he is proud of her success.’

The first two episodes of The Idol is available to stream on NOW and Sky Atlantic.

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