The Weeknd is trying to disgust you.
Earlier this month, the musician-turned-actor playing Tedros in HBO’s The Idol told Complex exactly that in an exclusive interview. And let me be the first to tell you, in case you haven’t been watching, Abel Tesfaye is nailing it.
“I wanted to make sure we felt so disgusted by this character. When you think about real-life scumbags, especially brainwashing cult leader types like him, there are so many directions you can go,” Tesfaye says. "I went into it, like, 'Why pull the punches? Why take you down a journey and romanticize him? Let's just jump right into it. He's a fucking scumbag.'”
Not only is Tesfaye creeping on your television every Sunday night since the show’s debut on June 4, but his Twitter has been flowing right along with the Sam Levinson series' streaming and online success. Currently in the midst of the European leg of his After Hours Til Dawn tour, Tesfaye is still finding the time to respond to the haters on Twitter, craft a few tweets of his own, and retweet stats that prove that The Idol is moving.
His Twitter beefs have ranged from back-and-forths with the official Oreo Twitter page to random interactions with trolls that are probably looking for the exact attention that the superstar is giving them.
Most of Tesfaye’s work on the bird app has happened between the white lines of the show actually being on the air, but this particular spurt of internet energy dates back to an interaction he had with Rolling Stone. The magazine wrote a report with disturbing details from sources about what it was like behind the scenes. Tesfaye clapped back with a 54 second clip serving as a rebuttal to the publication and as more promo for the show, which he has been incredibly defensive of from the start.
Now this is not to pass any judgment on Tesfaye’s Twitter fingers or how he's choosing to support his show, that's up to fans to judge. However, here are some of the artist’s most unhinged moments on the app while promoting and standing up for his beloved show.
Date: June 4
The Weeknd readies his fans for premiere night.
Date: June 7
Abel says what we’re all thinking, pointing out how much of a scumbag his character Tedros is.
Date: June 9
The Weeknd is a fan of Lily Rose-Depp’s fans. Even when her fans are celebs themselves.
Date: June 11
Now we know, we’re getting new music with the release of The Idol every week. We win.
Date: June 11
The singer is not afraid to retweet what all of us are thinking.
Date: June 12
More commentary on the music releasing alongside each episode.
Date: June 12
Tesfaye responds to a hater with more information on the release of the music.
Date: June 18
“in tedros we trust” is certainly a statement!
Date: June 19
While critics and fans tear the show. part, The Weeknd can't help but share a retweet touting The Idol’s online popularity.
Date: June 20
That Valentino scene in Episode 3 pretty much sums up everything you need to know about Tedros. And it's nothing good.
Date: June 20
There is a scene in the third episode where Tedros confrotnts a salesperson he thinks is staring at Depp's character, but some fans weren't buying the level of intensity the actor showed in the scene. Tesfaye joked alongside fans saying he thinks Tedros and Mickey Mouse are equally intimidating.
Date: June 20
Mickey Tedros Mouse.
Date: June 20
Quite possibly the most savage tweet from all of this. Really called this guy's goatee a shit stain. It's even funnier coming from someone whose character wears a rattail.
Date: June 20
I'm just here for the Blackpink stans (or blinks) in the replies for this one.
Date: June 21
Not a whole lot to say about this one, I got the same questions that Tedros has.
Date: June 21
Abel continues to go to bat for The Idol, telling the haters to leave the fans alone and let them enjoy themselves.
Date: June 21
Shit gets kind of crazy once the Oreo channel or any random brand starts getting involved.
Date: June 21
More from the Oreo exchange.
Date: June 21
Idk if i'm running to dunk Oreos in champagne right now, but the next time the opportunity presents itself, I might have to give it a spin.
Date: June 22
Pure comedy here. 10/10 no notes.
Date: June 22
Abel gets the fans ready for episode 4’s musical release.
Date: June 22
More clapping back at the haters.
Date: June 23
#NewProfilePic
Date: June 23
All The Weeknd wants is for you to make your own decisions regarding the show. Love it or hate it, watch it for yourself and decide how you feel.
Date: June 25
There’s something about that face that’s going to haunt me in my sleep.
Date: June 25
The use of “tedrussy” in this one is really out of control.
