While the internet holds its breath for the highly anticipated Avengers 4 trailer, another much-teased, much-hyped, ambitious crossover makes its debut: the music video for Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next.”
The song itself was a surprise release, mysteriously teased by Grande before it dropped in November. The singer posted lyrics on Twitter that referenced her past relationships, particularly her recent break up with comedian Pete Davidson, after their whirlwind summer romance, and then like magic, there was a single. Instead of a petty break-up hit, the song was a self-love and empowerment anthem and it immediately catapulted, breaking the record for the most streams received by a song in a single day by a female artist on Spotify, and eventually becoming the quickest song to break 100 million streams.
Grande’s given the music video similar treatment as far as teasing goes, hinting that it would be an homage to girl power chick-flicks. She’s posted recreations of scenes from Bring it On, Legally Blonde, 13 Going on 30 and Mean Girls with stars from the original films (hello Paulette and Aaron Samuels!), as well as her former Victorious co-stars.
All in all, “Thank U, Next” is a nerdy love letter to a specific kind of movie, and in a fandom-driven world that could easily support The Mamma Mia! Cinematic Universe, it’s a crossover we can certainly get behind.
