A
As the Mean Girls musical makes its debut in theaters, Ariana Grande’s new single, which defies gossip, brings to mind a memorable line from the original movie. In this scene, during the school’s Christmas talent show, Damian, a lovable outcast, performs Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful, even incorporating the opening beat from the music video. He playfully scolds the audience with “Don’t look at me!” before wowing them with his performance. This internal conflict of both hating and wanting attention is also reflected in Grande’s house-inspired track Yes, And? where she addresses the public’s prying interest in her personal life. She sings, “Don’t comment on my body / Do not reply / Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose dick I ride?” This song seems to acknowledge recent online speculation about her health, divorce, and a possible new relationship involving infidelity.
The public may be surprised by these developments, as the 30-year-old pop star has been relatively quiet in recent years after a highly productive period. In 2017, her concert at Manchester Arena was tragically attacked by a suicide bomber, resulting in the deaths of 22 people and injuries to 59 others. A year later, she released “No Tears Left to Cry,” a defiant celebration of life and pleasure, as well as the album “Sweetener.” Shortly after its release, her former boyfriend, rapper Mac Miller, passed away from an overdose, and Grande ended her engagement with comedian Pete Davidson. It seems that music became a form of processing for her, as she released two more albums in quick succession: 2019’s introspective yet upbeat “Thank U, Next” and 2020’s more risque “Positions.” However, since then, she has only released a few featured verses on other artists’ remixes. Outside of music, she has launched a makeup brand and has been working on a film adaptation of “Wicked.” During this time, she also got married and divorced real estate agent Dalton Gomez, and is now in a relationship with her “Wicked” co-star Ethan Slater. Grande’s personal life has apparently faced significant backlash, prompting her to address it on Instagram in 2023, stating: “I have never been more proud or happy or loved while also feeling so misunderstood by those who don’t know me, who gather bits of information and create their own assumptions about my life.”
Grande’s frustration with rumors about her personal life is expressed through the empowering message of her song, “Yes, And?” which encourages anyone facing difficulties to take ownership of their struggles and ignore criticism. The song touches on the common theme of dealing with haters, attempting to draw parallels between the challenges of being a celebrity and everyday problems. With Grande co-producing alongside Max Martin and Ilya, the track is irresistibly lively and agile, and Grande’s playful nod to Madonna’s “Vogue” adds to its appeal. This also serves as a sign that mainstream pop music is now embracing pure house beats, as seen in this track and Grande’s previous hit, “Thank U, Next.” The song also showcases Grande’s mastery of using pregnant pauses in her lyrics, adding to her reputation as a top-notch artist. There is something intriguing about Grande’s subtle acknowledgement of the limitations of joyous rebellion and her embrace of straightforward defiance. “Yes, And?” is a clear rebellion against the trend of celebrities issuing apologies through their Notes app, and instead, Grande boldly defies those who act pious or try to offer unsolicited advice. Her untouchable vocal range elevates her above the fray and solidifies her status as a vocal powerhouse. Perhaps the secret behind Grande’s iconic ponytail is that it holds all of her secrets.
Source: theguardian.com
