The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, recently shared his expectation of a negative response to his show, The Idol. Even before the first episode aired, there were reports of controversy surrounding the production, with insiders claiming it had veered off course. More recently, critics described the third episode as poorly edited and badly written.

Despite the anticipated criticism, Tesfaye remained unfazed. He acknowledged that such challenges come with immense fame and emphasized the importance of being cautious about people's true intentions, even when they appear to be supportive. However, he expressed gratitude for having a circle of long-time friends and trusted individuals around him, considering it a valuable and fortunate gift.

The Idol, currently releasing new episodes, stars Tesfaye as Tedros, a charismatic cult leader/self-help guru who discovers Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp), an up-and-coming pop singer, and will stop at nothing to make her famous. It is co-created by Euphoria's Sam Levinson.