Ariana Grande’s suggestive and empowering videos
By Jerrison Oracion, Senior Columnist
Ariana Grande has a successful career right now, from being in the live version of Hairspray and her successful recent album Dangerous Woman. The 23-year-old singer will be doing a concert in Rogers Arena on March 24. In anticipation of the concert, here is a retrospective review of all of the music videos from Dangerous Woman. If you watch the music videos back to back, it can almost be seen as a visual version of the album.
Dangerous Woman
The music video of the title song, directed by The Young Astronauts, is shown in the form of a VHS tape. We see Grande in a bed doing various things, making it seem like you’re watching your girlfriend. Throughout the music video, we see her looking towards the camera. The song talks about not being afraid to do anything, and it is one of her favourite songs on the album.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WbCfHutDSE
Let Me Love You
Grande talks about her breakup with Big Sean in this video, which also features Lil Wayne. Directed by Grant Singer, we follow Grande with close-ups and handheld camerawork, and we see Lil Wayne give her dating advice. Just like the previous music video, she looks towards the camera which allows you to get close with her. As the music video progresses, she starts to figure out what to do next. Grande and Lil Wayne also have a bit of fun near the end of it.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WL672bjJgM
Into You
The least suggestive music video of the album has a lot of interesting time lapse visuals. Directed by the singer’s regular collaborator, Hannah Lux Davis, Grande spends time with someone in the Honeymoon Inn. In the second half of the video, we find out that she is dating a security guard. The music video of the song is similar to the music video of Love Me Harder because of its visuals. The scene when they play with the animal crackers reminded me of a scene in the movie Armageddon (1998). Also, we see product placement for Bellini cocktails.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ekZEVeXwek
Side to Side
There is a lot of interesting dancing in this one, and Nicki Minaj collaborates with Grande again. The music video, also directed by Davis, involves Grande exercising with various girls in a gym The first half of the video is especially elaborate. Nicki Minaj does her thing, and she is still great. Everyone in it shows that they have girl power.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXiSVQZLje8
Everyday
The music video of the most recent hit single from the album is currently the number one music video on iTunes, and it definitely causes a reaction. Directed by Chris Marris Piliero, we see Grande go around town, and watch various couples kissing. While everyone around her reacts in a surprised way to that, she lets them do their thing and cheers them on. The people kissing are very diverse, and the video is inclusive. It shows that anyone can be with anyone. The song also features rapper Future, who we see in the video in an office.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHmBf4ExtZk
