Ariana Grande has been making headlines since the release of her fifth studio album, "Thank U, Next." The album features the hit single "Thank U, Next," which quickly became an anthem for heartbreak and self-love. The song was inspired by Grande's previous relationships, including her engagement to comedian Pete Davidson. The music video for "Thank U, Next" was released on November 30, 2018, and has since become a viral sensation. In this article, we delve into the details of the music video, its message, and its impact.
The "Thank U, Next" music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis and features several references to popular films like "Mean Girls," "Legally Blonde," "13 Going on 30," and "Bring It On." Grande managed to bring together the classic high school movies and execute them flawlessly in this music video. The video features several guest appearances, including Mean Girls' icons Jonathan Bennett and Stefanie Drummond, singer Troye Sivan, and "Victorious" co-star Elizabeth Gillies, to name a few. The music video has an impressive 334 million views on YouTube and became the most viewed video on YouTube within 24 hours with 55.4 million views.
The music video and its accompanying song's message are about self-love, the idea that a relationship can serve as a source of growth, and how a breakup can lead to personal discovery and realization. The video starts with an opening credit scene, reminiscent of most films, with an announcement that the video is in memory of Grande's ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, who passed away in September 2018.
The music video then pans into a recreated scene from "Mean Girls," where Grande walks through the halls of the high school wearing pink with "Thank U, Next" in place of the original's infamous "Burn Book." Each song verse is followed by Grande referencing a different movie, starting with Elizabeth Gillies joining her in a nearly identical scene from "Bring It On." The duo recreates the cheerleading squad's choreography from the movie, adding some of their spin.
The scenes transition into another iconic scene of "Mean Girls," where Grande channels Regina George in her favorite room with a "Thank U, Next" themed Burn Book. The book has photos of her ex-boyfriends and recognizes them for the things that they have taught Grande instead of criticizing them.
The third verse follows Grande in a white room, recreating the opening scene of "Legally Blonde." The dress, the ring, and the perfect boots make up for the perfect Legally Blonde theme. The scene's plot shows Grande in court, where she realizes that she does not need anyone's validation, leading to what we can assume is her graduation from law school. The scene ends with Paulette and Grande hugging, much like the movie did.
The final scene sees Grande reconnect with her high school friends, including Elizabeth Gillies and several others, playing in the actual set from the movie "13 Going on 30." The group dances and sings their hearts out as Grande pays homage to the movie, letting everyone know that she is good, and she is happy without any validation from anyone else.
The "Thank U, Next" music video became an instant hit, with fans turning to social media to recreate each scene and supply memes. The video's popularity can be explained by the genius of Grande and her team who delivered what everyone desired, a relatable content that goes beyond the traditional love song storyline. The imagery is powerful and captures the essence of what the song represents, which is how a breakup can inspire growth, happiness, and confidence.
In the end, the "Thank U, Next" music video serves as a tribute to classic movies while highlighting Grande's self-love message. The video does not criticize or pick apart ex-lovers, instead choosing to highlight the essential lessons that Grande learned from each person and relationship. The music video's impact is not only reflected in its view count but also in its ability to inspire individuals to love and celebrate themselves. Ariana Grande has mastered tapping into her audience's emotions while maintaining an authentic edge that continues to set her apart in the music industry.
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