Viewers Want to Know If HBO's 'The Idol' Is About Britney Spears

Jun. Five 2023, Published 4:06 p.m. ET

If you've gotten been following Sam Levinson's latest HBO series, The Idol, then you recognize that there is a juicy reference to none rather than the iconic pop queen herself, Britney Spears, in the pilot episode.

The display stars the super-talented Lily-Rose Depp, who totally nails it enjoying a personality who is giving off main Britney vibes and is decided to become independent from from her own personal struggles.

The series follows the tale of Jocelyn, or "Joss," a former mega pop superstar on the epic adventure of her comeback. After a extremely publicized mental breakdown, Joss is determined to reclaim her throne.

But is The Idol about Britney? As one viewer tweeted: "Literally why would The Idol have Britney’s song on their trailer if they weren’t alluding to the pop star character being inspired by her? The plot is specifically about how a pop star struggles with bad influences in her career as she shifts to a more independent image and sound."

So, is 'The Idol' about Britney Spears?

Although there are Britney references, the creators say that the story is not about Britney or any person particularly.

When requested at the Cannes Film Festival about the display's connection with Britney, Sam Levinson said: “Look, I was a kid of the '90s, and [Britney is] one in all the largest pop stars of all time. And no, we’re no longer looking to inform a story about any specific pop megastar."

“It’s a lot of pressure — to have to constantly be on and to be what everyone wishes you to be," he went on. "It’s a lonely life… We can all pretend that everyone is looking out for someone’s best interest, but I think fame really corrupts; it’s really easy to surround yourself with myth-makers who continue to prop us up.”

The Weeknd also weighed in on the topic.

Lily's co-star Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye had this to say:

"When I came upon how a lot Sam is serious about the song in Euphoria and getting to work with him on the tune on the display, that’s when it unlocked it for us. Can we create our own pop big name? Can we create anyone who is trying to find themselves, the use of my experiences, the use of his reviews, the usage of Lily’s stories on developing one thing special, bold and thrilling, and amusing that can make people chuckle, piss some other people off?”

The epic storyline features Lily-Rose, who definitely inherited her dad's acting genes, and The Weeknd as Tedros, a nightclub impresario with a shady previous posing as a tune manager. And boy, do sparks fly between those two.

The series is packed with intrigue, sexy scandals, and the dark underbelly of the tune industry. The Idol could have you on the fringe of your seat, begging for extra as secrets and techniques resolve and the combat for Jocelyn's destiny unfolds. Buckle up, fam, because this show is about to take you on a wild, unforgettable journey.

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