The Weeknd at the console, Lily Rose-Depp unleashed in the crowd: we were among the exclusive guests of the explosive after party of The Idol, organized after the premiere at Cannes 2023. Here’s how it went. The series has been on Sky and NOW since 5 June.
There are two golden rules of Cannes: never order sparkling water at the restaurant (it costs a fortune) and never make plans that do not go beyond three hours. Why? Because suddenly an unexpected invitation can arrive for one of the many parties that vibrate during the frantic nights. And the party in question, for us at Movieplayer, was what we could consider as the best of this Cannes 2023. The invitation, which came out surprisingly via email, upset the evening’s plans, putting us in a crisis: what to wear for a party where they are expected Lily Rose-Depp e Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye? Yes, because the party we attended (excuse the pun, we’re tired) was to The Idol, TV series produced by HBO and A24, as well as written by Sam Levinson (we tell you about it in our review). Since we’re here (sleepy, but here we are), we remind you: you can find the series exclusively on Sky and NOW from 5 June. But let’s get back to us. The appointment? 12.30 AM Where? In one of the most exclusive places in Cannes: the Palm Club.
We call a taxi, which will drop us off a few meters from the entrance. The road is closed, clogged with a bustle of vans and cars with tinted windows. There is an air of glamour, privacy, Hollywood exclusivity. Music can be heard from outside, as soon as you enter a black sign with red writing stands out: You Should Be Having Way More Fun. A warning or advice? For a moment the tiredness disappears, and we immerse ourselves in the room, colored and decorated on a theme. The writing “The Idol” wraps around the DJ console, while photographs of the protagonists alternate on the sides of the walls. The party – indeed, the after party – gradually begins to get going.
The Idol party? on fire!
We recognize among the guests Jeffrey Wright, Hank Azaria (in the cast of the series), and then Travis Scott and Suzanna Son, a revelation actress that we loved in Red Rocket and that we now find right in The Idol (we admit it, we wanted to take a selfie, but we lost it in the crowd). Once the ritual drink has been consumed, we begin the tour (you can find the videos on Movieplayer’s Instagram profile), approaching the tone of the evening: music, music, and more music. The temperature, after one o’clock, begins to get hot. Incandescent. In the background, and after passing in front of the photographers, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye arrives. Say hello to friends, hug his girlfriend Simi Khadra (she’s a DJ, she met her at her birthday), exchange a few words. It seems over there, ritual presence and some chat. Among the crowd, then, we gradually see the cast of The Idolwhich trickles in: Stephane Cardinale, Kristy Sparrow, Moses Sumney.
Cannes 2023, day 6: the halfway point among the gymnasiums of the Croisette
And Lily-Rose Depp? For now it is not visible. Suddenly, however, the turning point: The Weeknd takes control of the situation, and of the music console. The party turns into a real exclusive performance for a few guests: the atmosphere melts, and here she emerges, the most awaited: Lily Rose-Depp. She throws herself into the crowd like a crazed splinter, and she starts to dance. She is a stone’s throw from us. Literally. Le Freak of Chic is mixed with Men in Black by Will Smith, in turn mixed with the cafonissima and irresistible You Sexy Thing of Hot Chocolate.
In short, the party heats up: a box of pizza also arrives in the console (but caviar!). The lights become dimmed, the music is very loud. Our ears almost explode, having tactically placed us under the register. In an instant, the Palm Club of Cannes became the set of The Idol. Further up, mingling among the guests, we catch a glimpse of series creator Sam Levinson – elegant in a white jacket – looking on in amusement. Who knows, maybe he’s looking for inspiration. We’ll find out in the next season of Euphoria, but in the meantime it’s getting really late, it’s almost 4. Better to call an Uber. It’s already morning, and we’ll be working soon. “I believe in miracles since you came along, you sexy thing…”.
