Sam Levinson Latest Celebrity News & Gossip

The forthcoming HBO show The Idol is said to be “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood,” according to its very own promo push from late last summer. And considering its creators — Euphori

HBO and stars Lily-Rose Depp and Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye are defending upcoming music industry drama "The Idol" after an article alleged its production under director Sam Levinson has gone "wildly, disgustingly off the rails" and has turned into "torture porn."  Director Amy Seimetz, of "The Girlfriend Experience," was originally hired to helm the drama before leaving after shooting 80% of the six-episode limited series, and Sam Levinson of "Euphoria" was brought in, according to Rolling Stone.The article claimed Tesfaye, who is a co-creator of the show, felt Seimetz was leaning too much into the "female perspective" of the story.  However, sources told Variety that the outlet's insiders had not seen the finished product, which still reportedly represents a "female perspective." Meanwhile, the streaming service told Fox News Digital in a statement, "The creators and producers of ‘The Idol’ have been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs.The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change." HBO continued, "Throughout the process, the creative team has been committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and mutually respectful working environment, and last year, the team made creative changes they felt were in the best interest of both the production and the cast and crew.

The Weeknd, lead actress Lily-Rose Depp and HBO have responded to new reported allegations that production of the upcoming series The Idol has been a “shitshow”, as one source put it.In a new report from Rolling Stone, 13 anonymous sources from the show’s cast and crew spoke on the production of the anticipated series. They allege that The Idol, which is expected to premiere sometime this year, has been plagued by delays, rewrites and reshoots that took a turn for the worse with Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson at the helm.Tesfaye has since responded to Rolling Stone’s report by tagging the publication in a clip from the show on Twitter.

 claiming that the production of The Weeknd's new HBO series,  is having issues, the singer-turned-actor has fired back at the publication.On Wednesday, released a lengthy article claiming that the show — created alongside s Sam Levinson — has «gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails» with regard to chaotic scheduling, going over budget and last-minute script changes and overhauls on graphically violent and sexual scenes.In response, The Weeknd — whose real name is Abel Tesfaye — shot back at the report Wednesday afternoon, sharing a clip from the series, in which The Weeknd's character — a cult leader and self-help guru named Tedros — slams magazine for being «irrelevant.»The Weeknd threw additional shade in the caption, writing, "@rollingstone did we upset you?"A post shared by The Weeknd (@theweeknd)In the scene, Tedros is cozied up with pop star Joceyln (played by Lily-Rose Depp), as her publicist (played by Dan Levy) pitches the idea of Joceyln doing a photo shoot for the magazine."? Aren't they a little irrelevant?" The Weeknd's Tedros asks, before pulling out his phone to look at their Instagram. " has 6 million followers on Instagram, half of them probably bots.

Ethan Shanfeld The Weeknd has responded to a report from Rolling Stone claiming that his upcoming HBO series “The Idol,” created with “Euphoria’s” Sam Levinson, has “gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails.” Posting a clip from the series to Instagram, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye tagged Rolling Stone and wrote, “Did we upset you?” In the scene, a character played by Dan Levy pitches Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp’s pop star character Jocelyn to do a photo shoot for the cover of Rolling Stone. Tesfaye, who plays a modern-day cult leader named Tedros, says, “Rolling Stone? Aren’t they a little irrelevant? … Rolling Stone has 6 million followers on Instagram, half of them probably bots. And Jocelyn has 78 million followers, all real I’d assume. So she does a photo shoot, she tags them, they get her followers. More money for Rolling Stone, nothing for Jocelyn.”

Back in 2021, news first emerged that HBO had greenlit “The Idol”, an edgy satirical drama set within the Los Angeles music business, created by The Weeknd and “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson.

The Weeknd is unbothered by the reports.

The Idol is the most controversial show in town, and it doesn't even have a premiere date yet. But maybe that's how the creators like it.

So, uh, when is “The Idol” going to premiere on HBO? That’s a valid question to ask when you consider the first teaser was released months ago, followed fairly shortly by a second teaser. Alas, we don’t even have a release date or hint of a time frame outside of 2023.

The Weeknd has landed his first starring role in a movie, which Oneohtrix Point Never will score.The film, which as yet is untitled, was co-written by the singer with director Trey Edward Shults and will also star Wednesday actor Jenna Ortega and The Banshees Of Inisherin‘s Barry Keoghan.It has also been confirmed that the movie will be soundtracked by Oneohtrix Point Never, who previously worked with Abel Tesfaye on his 2022 album ‘Dawn FM’ and remixed the title track.The Weeknd previously appeared in 2019’s Netflix movie Uncut Gems and he is set to appear in HBO series The Idol as a self-help guru, club owner and leader of a modern-day cult, who begins dating an up-and-coming pop artist played by Lily-Rose Depp. It was co-created with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.Meanwhile, Tesfaye recently shared a remix of his 2016 song ‘Die For You’, featuring new vocals from longtime collaborator Ariana Grande.The song first appeared on the tracklist of The Weeknd’s third studio album, ‘Starboy’.

The Weeknd is turning his talents towards the world of film.

Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is making his feature acting debut!

Brent Lang Executive Editor Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye will have his first starring role in a feature film that he wrote and is also producing. The picture, which is currently untitled and has been kept shrouded in mystery regarding its plot, genre and the like is being directed by Trey Edward Shults, the filmmaker behind “Waves” and “It Comes at Night.” Shults also co-wrote the movie and is executive producing it. We do know that it is shooting in Los Angeles, but aside from that the “logline is being kept under wraps.” Whether comedy or tragedy, action adventure or musical extravaganza, this impressively vague feature has lined up a top shelf cast. Beyond The Weeknd, a Grammy-winning recording juggernaut, the film also stars Jenna Ortega, the star of “Wednesday” and “Scream VI,” as well as Barry Keoghan, the Oscar-nominated actor from “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “The Killing of a Sacred Deer.”

EXCLUSIVE: In what would mark is acting debut in a feature film, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye is teaming with Trey Edward Shults on a new untitled film as he is set to star along with Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. Shults will direct from a script he co-wrote with Tesfaye and his producing partner Reza Fahim. Tesfaye, Fahim, Kevin Turen and Harrison Kreiss are producing with Shultz and Ortega exec producing.

Zendaya on a red carpet, and the wait is finally over. The 26-year-old made her grand return to the public eye at the 54th NAACP Image Awards on Saturday night. As stylish as ever, the actress stunned in a strapless black and green gown with a plunging-v neckline and a classic Old Hollywood silhouette. Zendaya also debuted a new color for her recent bob-length hair, going from her previous blonde to a chocolatey brown, styled in chic curls that fell just above her shoulders.Zendaya is nominated for Entertainer of the Year and Best Actress in a Drama for her role in the Sam Levinson-directed HBO series.

*WINNER.THEATRICAL FEATURE FILMTODD FIELD, TÁRJOSEPH KOSINSKI, Top Gun: MaverickDANIEL KWAN & DANIEL SCHEINERT, Everything Everywhere All at OnceMARTIN MCDONAGH, The Banshees of Inisherin    STEVEN SPIELBERG, The FabelmansFIRST-TIME THEATRICAL FEATURE FILM ALICE DIOP, Saint OmerAUDREY DIWAN, HappeningJOHN PATTON FORD, Emily the CriminalANTONETA ALAMAT KUSIJANOVIC, MurinaCHARLOTTE WELLS, AftersunDRAMATIC SERIESJASON BATEMAN, Ozark, “A Hard Way To Go”VINCE GILLIGAN, Better Call Saul, “Waterworks”SAM LEVINSON, Euphoria, “Stand Still Like the Hummingbird”AOIFE MCARDLE, Severance, “Hide and Seek”BEN STILLER, Severance, “The We We Are”COMEDY SERIESTIM BURTON, Wednesday, “Wednesday’s Child is Full of Woe”BILL HADER, Barry, “710N”AMY SHERMAN‑PALLADINO, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, “How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall?”CHRISTOPHER STORER, The Bear, “Review”MIKE WHITE, The White Lotus, “BYG”MOVIES FOR TELEVISION AND LIMITED SERIESERIC APPEL, Weird: The Al Yankovic StoryDEBORAH CHOW, Obi‑Wan KenobiJEREMY PODESWA, Station Eleven, “Unbroken Circle”HELEN SHAVER, Station Eleven, “Who’s There?”TOM VERICA, Inventing Anna, “The Devil Wore Anna”VARIETY/TALK/NEWS/SPORTS – REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMINGPAUL G.

EXCLUSIVE: Prime Video’s Hitchcockian thriller Holland, Michigan continues to round out its cast with the addition of Rachel Sennott (Bodies Bodies Bodies), Lennon Parham (Minx), Isaac Krasner (Power Book III: Raising Kanan) and Jeff Pope (Interview with the Vampire).

The Directors Guild of America has unveiled the television and documentary nominations for its 75th anniversary DGA Awards, which will be handed out next month.

Euphoria star Jacob Elordi is to lead Justin Kurzel and Shaun Grant’s limited series adaptation of Richard Flanagan’s Booker Prize-winning novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

HBO has released a new trailer for upcoming series The Idol – check it out above.Created by Euphoria’s Sam Levinson, Reza Fahim and Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd, the drama series follows a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult, who develops a complicated relationship with an up-and-coming pop idol.Lily Rose Depp (The Dancer) and The Weeknd lead the cast, supported by Suzanna Son, Troye Sivan, Moses Sumney, Jane Adams, Dan Levy, Eli Roth, Mike Dean and Hank Azaria.In the trailer, The Weeknd, who plays Tedros, says: “Los Angeles is where all the monsters of the world come to gather. Trust no one.”“I need full control,” he later remarks.

A new teaser has dropped for upcoming HBO drama “The Idol”, featuring stars The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp and Blackpink member Jennie.

The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp in their upcoming HBO series, .The latest trailer dropped Thursday and there's no shortage of sparks flying between the singer and the actress, as she navigates Hollywood's intense demand while he disrupts her team's goals by catapulting himself as the sole driver behind her budding career.But The Weeknd's doing more than just seemingly spearheading her career, he's also getting handsy. The singer's character proclaims in the trailer that «Los Angeles is where all the monsters of the world come together» while imploring her to «trust no one — just me.» He appears to whisper the sentiment in Depp's ear during a studio recording session, as he caresses her from behind while she's blindfolded.Things get steamy a lot and in just about every place — from the recording studio (in lingerie, too) and a bar, to the back seat of a classic Lincoln Continental while being driven down Sunset Boulevard.

Nosferatu from director Robert Eggers.As reported by Deadline, Skarsgård is said to be attached to play the lead vampire, while Depp is in talks to play the lead human role.Eggers – known for films The Witch, The Lighthouse and The Northman – will write and direct the upcoming project. Jeff Robinov, John Graham, Eggers, Chris Columbus and Eleanor Columbus will serve as producers.A description for the film reads: “In the new reimagining, Nosferatu is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman in 19th century Germany and the ancient Transylvanian vampire who stalks her, bringing untold horror with him.”As reported in March this year, Harry Styles dropped out of the remake over scheduling concerns.

(CNN)Zendaya was euphoric with her second Emmys acting win, which also made history.At 26 years old, she became the youngest to win two Emmys for acting when she snagged the trophy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series Monday at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards.She won in the same category in 2020 for her portrayal of troubled teen Rue Bennett in HBO's hit "Euphoria" (HBO is owned by CNN's parent company). Her latest win also made her the first Black woman to win twice in that category.In her acceptance speech, Zendaya thanked the show's creator, Sam Levinson "for believing in me and even in moments when I didn't believe in myself.""My greatest wish for 'Euphoria' was that it could help heal people and I just want to say thank you to everyone who has shared their story with me," she said.

“Do Revenge” could not be more different from his role in “Euphoria” as Ethan Lewis. And for a little bit, Abrams went back and forth between shooting the new Netflix movie (now streaming) and Season 2 of Sam Levinson’s HBO drama.“It was really fun to go from a very nice, gentle, thoughtful guy to [an] egomaniac,” he said in an interview with TheWrap about his “Do Revenge” character.

Still on her mind! Zendaya didn’t bring Tom Holland as her date to the 2022 Emmys, but the Euphoria star was sure to celebrate her big win with her boyfriend.

, picking up her second lead actress award at last night's 74th annual show (and in the process). Also two for two? Her looks from the evening. The Euphoria star hit the red carpet first in a bold black , which she styled with a black ribbon headband and a voluminous hairstyle. Because this is Zendaya, the fashion didn't stop there.

Euphoria at the 2022 Emmys, the 26-year-old becomes the youngest two-time winner for acting in Emmys history, and the first Black woman to win the Emmy for lead actress in a drama series twice.Wearing , she began her speech by thanking HBO “for making such a safe space for making this very difficult show” and creator Sam Levinson “for sharing Rue with me, adding, “Thank you for believing in me and even in moments when I didn’t believe in myself.”Zendaya continued, “My greatest wish for was that it could help heal people and I just want to say thank you to everyone who has shared their story with me. I want you to know that anyone who has loved a Rue or feels like they are Rue, I want you to know that I’m so grateful for your stories and I carry them with me and I carry them with her.”This content can also be viewed on the site it from.In 2020, Zendaya earned her first Emmy for playing the soulful, often struggling Rue in HBO’s Euphoria and was nominated this year for a record-breaking four awards as executive producer on the series and writing original lyrics for two songs featured in Euphoria, “I’m Tired” and “Elliot’s Song.” Zendaya’s major showcase for the second season was the heartstopping fifth episode, “Stand Still Like a Hummingbird,” in which the painful reality of Rue’s relapse comes into anxiety-inducing focus.“Euphoria has been such a great learning ground for me,” Zendaya told Vanity Fair on morning, crediting creator Sam Levinson and cinematographer Marcell Rév for inspiring her to one day direct.

Another one for the trophy room! Zendaya took home her second Emmy for playing Rue on Euphoria at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, September 12.

Zendaya has done it again! The 26-year-old has made awards season history by becoming the youngest two-time lead acting winner for her turn as teenage drug addict Rue on .The actress previously won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2020, making history as the youngest actress to ever win the category. Zendaya gushed over her fellow actresses in the category and thanked the show's creator, Sam Levinson, while accepting her award onstage at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles during the 74th annual ceremony. «This means so much. Thank you so much. To all the incredible actresses in this category, I'm so honored to be beside you. Thank you to the incredible, incredible cast and crew of ,» Zendaya said during her emotional acceptance speech. «Thank you for making such a safe space to make this very difficult show, I love you all so much.

Zendaya has done it again! The always fashionable 26-year-old actress hit the red carpet at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards Monday night with a look that oozed Old Hollywood glamour.The  star wore a gorgeous black ballgown by Valentino, that featured a strapless neckline and a black bow at the waist of the corseted bodice. Zendaya accessorized the look with a diamond choker, matching diamond earrings and a glittering, diamond statement ring.

Denying the drama. Colman Domingo has heard the rumors surrounding Barbie Ferreira’s exit from Euphoria — and he’d like everyone to calm down.

The show must not go on. The Weeknd ended his Los Angeles concert early on Saturday, September 3, after he realized his voice was faltering.

Clayton Davis The second night of the Creative Arts Emmys will take place on Sunday night, where hot races such as guest acting, music and stunts will be revealed. History could be made with “Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers” from Disney+ could be the first animated movie to win for outstanding television movie, after becoming the first ever to be nominated. However, we could see if HBO will be in line to make history if it takes the category for Barry Levinson’s “The Survivor.” HBO is able to win all the top series categories for drama (“Succession”), comedy (“Barry” or “Hacks”) and limited (“The White Lotus”). It would be the first network in history to win all four if achieved.

The Weeknd’s sold-out show in Los Angeles did not go as planned. The “Save Your Tears” singer abruptly ended his show -- following the second song.The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, left the stage while performing his hit song, “Can’t Feel My Face.” After a few minutes, the 32-year-old came back out and announced that he would not be completing the concert.  “I’m going to make sure you’ll get your money back,” he told the crowd of over 70,000 inside SoFi stadium.

. Now, Barbie was also announced to be joining Amazon Prime Video's House of Spoils film, so it seems this may be simply a case of competing filming schedules. But, according to internet bods, there are rumors of an alleged feud between the show's creator and writer, Sam Levinson, and Barbie—which have been chronicled by publications such as —and some have speculated this may have motivated Barbie's decision to leave (who was initially expected to be part of season three). Barbie's abrupt exit followed a pre-existing backlash surrounding Hunter Schafer, who plays , another leading character on the show.