The Weeknd AKA Abel Tesfaye is reflecting on the tumultuous production and controversial reception to “ The Idol .” The 2023 HBO series starred Tesfaye as a sleazy club owner turned music manager who becomes entangled in the life of a pop star (Lily-Rose Depp). Sam Levinson co-created the series with Tesfaye.

The Grammy winner acknowledged that he loved "reading criticism" of the controversial show — even if "some of it didn't feel constructive"

Critics panned the show seemingly from the beginning, with The Idol ’s first episode receiving 20 percent on Rotten Tomatoes . Chief among its problems were claims made about the production via an exposé from Rolling Stone, which painted the experience as one of constant chaos.