Jocelyn is a machine. Jocelyn gyrates like a Tilt-A-Whirl and favors spangled outfits that look like they're held together by dental floss. Underboob, throngs of paparazzi, nightclubs, cocaine, and S&M feature prominently in her lifestyle, at least if the trailer for HBO's upcoming blockbuster series The Idol is anything to go by.
Jocelyn also couldn't be further from the self-effacing woman I'm speaking to, who (a) apologizes for being a few minutes late to our interview because she's dealing with a gastrointestinally challenged cat, and (b) goes on to note how important punctuality is to her. Later today, on set, she'll transform back into the vampish pop star, but right now, at her mom's place in Los Angeles, Lily-Rose Depp is dressed down in a plain black camisole, her shoulder-length hair slightly tousled. The only thing she seems to share with her character is a sultry voice, which sounds as if a Juul took human form. But when she stepped into Jocelyn's platform stilettos, the 23-year-old model and actress found that singing and memorizing choreography weren't the biggest challenges to completing her pop-princess metamorphosis.
"It was more about understanding how alone you can feel, even when everybody's watching you," Depp says. Think of the moments of mundane heartache that run beneath the surface of otherwise glamorous lives: Katy Perry sobbing under the stage in Katy Perry: Part of Me; Madonna taking time out from her Blonde Ambition tour to visit her mother's grave in Madonna: Truth or Dare; or any paparazzi footage of Britney Spears circa 2007. The titular idol of the series-co-created and executive produced by Sam Levinson (Euphoria), Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd, and Reza Fahim-isn't explicitly modeled after any of these women, though Depp does name-check Madonna, Spears, and Mariah Carey as reference points.
This story is from the December 2022/January 2023 edition of ELLE US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2022/January 2023 edition of ELLE US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mikey MADISON
With her breakout role as a sex worker, the Anora stay learned much more than how to dance.
What a Trip DREWSTARKEY
Along with his capital-Pperformance as bad guy Rafe in Outer Banks, Drew Starkey has scored his big movie break. He tells us about his buzzy role in Queer, based on the William S. Burroughs novel.
Demi MOORE
The Substance star has reached a State of enlightenment.
Cynthia ERIVO
For the Nicked star, every character is achance to know herself more deeply.
Karla Sofia GASCON Selena GOMEZ.&Zoe SALDANA
Three very different actresses found sisterhood and career-transforming rolesin Emilia Pérez.
Saoirse RONAN
The Irish actress became an unlikely American everygirl. But at 30, she's ready to paint with a darker palette.
Danielle DEADWYLER
The Piano Lesson star is highlighting Black history through her film roles.
Julianne MOORE & Tilda SWINTON
For these two Oscar winners, a long-hoped-for collaboration in The Room Next Door feels meant to be.
IN THE LAND OF WOMEN
With The Room Next Door, Pedro Almodóvar tackles a new language, but his ability to translate the experience of women remains rock solid.
In the Public Eye
When Shiori Ito's sexual assault investigation was dropped. she de the camera on herself to find justice.
