How Are We Not Freaked Out About The Weeknd's "Rattail" Pony?
“My grandmother said you never trust a dude with a rattail.” — Destiny, episode 3.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we’re sure you’ve been watching HBO‘s anticipated series, The Idol. It seems like everyone is talking about Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp. But honestly, we’re more interested in Abel Tesfaye, aka The Weeknd or Tedros and his sinister “rattail” braid.
As soon as Tedros made his first appearance on the show, I couldn’t shake off this eerie feeling that something wasn’t right about him. Growing up in Black southern culture, I was taught to be wary of men who sported a rattail pony as they were often seen as villainous creatures. These individuals were considered the worst of the worst in their families or communities, as their moral compass never seemed to point in the “right” direction. It’s no wonder that I couldn’t trust Tedros from the get-go.
Tedros’ hairstyle and mannerisms only further solidified my lack of trust in him. The way he floats around Jocelyn, sucks on toothpicks and speaks in a slow, sinister tone all contribute to my suspicion. In fact, The Weeknd’s portrayal of Tedros is so convincing that I can’t help but be cautious of him in real life.
In episode three, Jocelyn’s best friend complained to the management team about the manipulative tactics Tedros was using on the star. Jocelyn’s co-manager, Destiny, replied with some wise words from her grandmother: “You never trust a dude with a rattail.” It was a comical moment, but it also highlighted the importance of being aware of people’s behavior and trusting your instincts.
Sometimes, it’s the small things that can give us a clue about someone’s character.
Stay tuned for our thoughts from more episodes to come.
