There is no denying that our society has an obsession with celebrities. We can never get enough of their glamorous and aspirational lives filled with fame and fortune. With this culture of curiosity and scrutiny surrounding the inner workings of our favorite actors, singers, and influencers, many creatives are now turning their attention towards dissecting the industry itself. They want to understand what it takes to maintain the status of a superstar and the impact it has on the human psyche. This is precisely what Sam Levinson claims to be doing with his work, “The Idol.” He marketed it as a boundary-pushing and subversive piece that would shock audiences with its originality and lack of restraint. However, what Levinson and Abel Tesfaye (also known as The Weeknd) delivered was something entirely different.
“The Idol” follows the journey of a young superstar, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, as she attempts to make a comeback in her pop singer career after taking a break due to a mental health crisis. While it could have been an interesting exploration of the pressures of ultra-fame on a young woman, it quickly became a cliche and disappointing start for the series. Many viewers were left wondering what else they could watch instead.
Right from the start, “The Idol” faced controversy both on and off the screen. Rumors of a toxic set, extensive rewrites, and questionable creative motives surrounded the series even before its release. When it was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, critics confirmed the audience’s fears that the storyline was nothing more than a sexist rape fantasy concocted by Levinson and Tesfaye. Levinson has already faced criticism for his portrayal of women and feminine sexuality in his series “Euphoria,” which frequently degrades women. His collaboration with Tesfaye only further worsened the situation. Tesfaye demanded the season to be reworked to focus less on a woman’s perspective, and rumors of his strange behavior on set added fuel to the fire.
For those interested in a similar premise to “The Idol” but in search of something better, fear not. There is another series that tackles similar issues with much greater success. “I Hate Suzie,” which premiered in 2020, is a dark comedy that delves into the pitfalls of fame and sheds light on how the entertainment industry uniquely affects women. The series revolves around Suzie Pickles, played by Billie Piper, a former teen pop star struggling to assert herself and find a balance between her career and personal life. Interestingly, the series starts in a way similar to the first episode of “The Idol,” raising suspicions of more than mere coincidence. In both shows, we meet the protagonist in the middle of a magazine photoshoot at their homes, only for their lives to be shattered soon after. Suzie’s life is upended when her nude photos are leaked online, simultaneously exposing her secret affair to her husband. In the aftermath, she must rebuild her life while reevaluating her priorities and desires.
Despite the similar premise, “I Hate Suzie” is vastly different from “The Idol” in terms of tone, content, and messaging. While both characters face similar struggles, Suzie is the complete opposite of Jocelyn (Depp’s character). Suzie possesses intelligence, humor, autonomy, and a distinctive personality. Take notes, Sam Levinson. Through Suzie’s journey, viewers gain insight into the experiences of women in the industry and the unique challenges they face. The series explores themes of family and motherhood as Suzie navigates maintaining custody of her son while trying to foster a healthy relationship with him. It also sheds light on how women are marginalized by other institutions beyond show business. Unlike Jocelyn, Suzie is not hypersexualized or victimized. She faces the consequences of her own actions, resulting in a nuanced exploration of what it truly means to be a successful woman. The show seeks to illuminate the realities of “idols” without exploiting them.
The fundamental difference between these shows and their reception lies in the fact that “I Hate Suzie” was created by women. Just like Levinson and Tesfaye, Piper played a role in shaping the show. The fact that the character was written by a woman brings authenticity and relatability to the story. Piper used the series as a metaphor for her personal experiences, aiming to tell a story that might be difficult to receive or unpalatable for viewers. However, she didn’t rely on torture or neon lights to make an impact. Instead, she presented an authentic portrayal of a woman who tries her best and makes mistakes. Reflecting on her motivations behind the show, Piper shared that being a woman entails wearing various masks for work, motherhood, and sexuality to the point where one no longer recognizes oneself.
With women at the helm, “I Hate Suzie” subverts the masculine gaze that plagues “The Idol” and avoids indulging in fantasies about femininity and how women cope with the challenges of fame. While we have only seen the initial episodes of “The Idol,” it appears highly unlikely that the rest of the season will subvert the current narrative. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, if you’re seeking another show that tells a similar story with more compassion and a better grasp of its subject matter, “I Hate Suzie” is the perfect choice to explore.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
