Cannes 2023; why are The Weeknd and Simi Khadra at the Cannes Film Festival for his TV series, The Idol?

There has been quite the hubbub regarding Abel Tasfaye, the artist formerly known as The Weeknd, and Sam Levinson’s upcoming HBO series The Idol. We’ve read stories about the graphic, wanton nature of the show, which also features Lily-Rose Depp, but audiences at the Cannes Film Festival today will be able to witness first hand the long-awaited, long-discussed television appearance of the singer.

Tasfaye has already been sharing tourist snaps since arriving in France, sharing an image of what looks to be rental accommodation in the French Riviera with a female who many have reported as Simi Khadra as an Instagram Story and even tweeting an emoji of the French flag writing “I missed you.”

However, what has stumped some people is the notion that the pilot episode of a television series is premiering at a film festival, let alone Cannes Film Festival. A comic book convention or something like Paleyfest, of course - but Cannes? How did the producers manage to convince organisers to move the premiere from Canneseries (a dedicated event run by Cannes organisers specific to television series) to their premiere event?

Well as it turns out, it was Cannes Film Festival’s decision to move the pilot from Canneseries to the main festival, being selected as an out of competition event much in the same vein as Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny yesterday, Jeanne du Barry on the opening night of the festival and tomorrow’s screening of Martin Scorsese’s new film, Killers of the Flower Moon.

We at Peopleworld are of the belief that with all the controversy that has surrounded what The Idol depicts onscreen that perhaps at a film festival, which allows a little more graphic content than what US Standards and Practice departments at television networks would allow. No news though if it is just the pilot that will be playing or if audiences will be treated to a few episodes to get a “feel” of what to expect when the show airs on HBO on June 4 2023, with UK audiences getting to watch it on Sky Atlantic the following day (June 5 2023.)

Who is Simi Khadra?

Simi Khadra, born in 1993 in Saudi Arabia to Palestinian parents, is a multi-talented individual with diverse interests and accomplishments. She spent her childhood living in different places, including London and Dubai. Khadra attended the University of Southern California, majoring in film production and fine art alongside her twin sister, Haze. She is proud of her Palestinian roots and has been vocal about supporting her country, participating in human rights protests and raising funds for families in Gaza.

Simi Khadra, together with her twin sister, has ventured into various creative fields. They began their music career as DJs and have performed at renowned events like Coachella. They also showcase their musical talents by playing the guitar to accompany artists like Willow Smith. The sisters have a joint Instagram account with a large following, sharing glimpses of their lavish lifestyles and fashion choices. While they have gained influence in the fashion industry, they are cautious about being labelled as mere "influencers" and strive for authenticity in their collaborations and endorsements.

In addition to their music and fashion pursuits, Simi Khadra and her sister run a makeup company called SimiHaze Beauty. Their brand offers a range of beauty products that encourage creativity and self-expression. Simi and Haze approach makeup as a means of exploring colour and making bold statements.Simi Khadra is known for her connections with high-profile individuals and celebrities. She has been seen socialising with A-listers such as Selena Gomez and Jennie from BLACKPINK. Additionally, she has a brother named Fai Khadra, who is also involved in the music industry as a singer, songwriter, and model. Fai has worked with renowned fashion brands and has associations with the Kardashian-Jenner family.