Ariana Grande's "Thank U, Next" video takes on the teen rom-com canon
Ariana Grande’s online faithful have been buzzing about the video for her not-a-diss-track diss track “Thank U, Next” since clips emerged of the singer parodying a number of early-’00s rom-coms on set. Today, the clip for the clever, defiant single officially dropped, bringing with it some vibrantly realized parodies and a slew of celebrity cameos.
There’s Mean Girls actor Jonathan Bennett marching alongside Grande’s Regina George, as well as Dynasty star Elizabeth Gillies, who here steps in as Lindsay Lohan’s bashful Cady Heron. Stefanie Drummond, another Mean Girls alum, pops in to reprise her breathless Bethany Byrd, while Grande pals like singer Troye Sivan, dancer Scott Nicholson, and comedian Colleen Ballinger round out the cast alongside YouTube’s leading Grande impersonator Gabi DeMartino. Oh, and we don’t need to tell you that’s Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner bouncing around with the handicam.
Comedian Jennifer Coolidge, a Legally Blonde standout, also appears with Grande, who slays while channeling the bold, flawless fashion acumen of Elle Woods. Trotting alongside her is a Bruiser lookalike, and, cute as he may be, we do wish she’d cast her pet pig in the role. With Coolidge, Grande offers a not-so-subtle nod ex Pete Davidson’s “Big Dick Energy,” which we’re sure he’ll mention on SNL this weekend.
Elsewhere in the video, Grande parodies Bring It On and 13 Going On 30, and even brings along some of her co-stars from Nickelodeon’s Victorious. Of particular note is Matt Bennett, who recreates Bring It On’s tooth-brushing scene with his one-time scene partner. You’ll also likely recognize a bunch of the cheerleaders dancing beside her, but keep an eye out for Tayla Parx and Victoria Monét, who co-wrote the song with Grande.
It’s an excellent, very entertaining clip from longtime Grande collaborator Hannah Lux Davis, who, along with the singer, even manages to sneak in just the tiniest bit of social commentary. See it below and watch the full video above.