HBO's The Idol has been making headlines. The music industry drama was first announced in June 2021 and stars Lily-Rose Depp as Jocelyn, a rising pop star who starts a romance with an enigmatic Los Angeles club owner and underground cult leader, Tedros, played by Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye.

Is The Idol based on a true story? No, The Idol isn't based on a specific true story. However, much of the cult-like concepts behind the music industry served as an inspiration for Tesfaye - a Grammy award-winning artist - and Levinson.

TV drama The Idol - which had some of the worst reviews of the year - has been cancelled. The music industry satire, starring Lily-Rose Depp and Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, was blasted by critics when it was released.

What is The Idol about? The Weeknd stars as a modern-day cult leader and self-help guru who starts a turbulent relationship with up-and-coming pop star Jocelyn, played by Depp.

Is The Idol based on a true story? No, The Idol isn't based on a specific true story. However, much of the cult-like concepts behind the music industry served as an inspiration for Tesfaye - a Grammy award-winning artist - and Levinson.

While Levinson maintains that “The Idol” isn't based on “any particular pop star,” it hasn't stopped viewers and, in some cases, the show's writers, from comparing Jocelyn to real-life icons such as Britney Spears and the Weeknd's ex, Selena Gomez.

Is The Idol based on Britney Spears? According to Levinson and Depp herself, Jocelyn isn't based on Spears - even though the show's debut episode references her directly - or any other real-life popstar including Selena Gomez.

Premise: After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn's last tour, she's determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros, a nightclub impresario with a sordid past.

Television show “The Idol” has been canceled after just one, poorly received season, HBO has confirmed. “After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season,” a HBO spokesperson said in a statement sent to CNN Tuesday.

July 2, 2023The Idol / Final episode date Season 1 concluded - after just five episodes, shortened from the originally planned six-episode run - on July 2. The decision to cancel the series was made recently after a lack of clarity for both viewers and cast members about whether the series had the potential to continue.

Television show “The Idol” has been canceled after just one, poorly received season, HBO has confirmed. “After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers have decided not to move forward with a second season,” a HBO spokesperson said in a statement sent to CNN Tuesday.

The Idol's finale seems to make the argument that Jocelyn has been this master manipulator this whole time, who on the surface was succumbing to this "dangerous" cult leader but really was pulling his strings the whole time. Which, sure, that's the story the show set out to tell.