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Ariana Grande‘s “yes, and?” music video continues to garner thousands of views in the days since its release, with fans buzzing about her chic outfit in it and the possible meanings behind her infectious lyrics. Last week, the Grammy winner, 30, shared the long-awaited visual for her new single, and she donned a black-and-white cross front bodysuit from Rodarte and paired it with a black pleated skater skirt by Alaïa.
The vid features Paula Abdul-inspired choreography, and scenes where Grande’s critics are “exclusively” invited to watch her perform. This, of course, coincides with the track’s kiss-off lyrics, which many fans believe were inspired by backlash sparked by her romance with her Wicked co-star Ethan Slater (whom she allegedly began a relationship with while they were both married to other people).
YouTube.com/ArianaGrande
Ariana Grande Rocks Flirty Black-And-White Ensemble For New Video Amid Ongoing Romance Backlash
To complete the look, the “positions” hitmaker added sheer black tights, black kitten heels and sparkling stud earrings. As for her glam, Grande slicked her long blonde hair into a sleek ponytail. For her makeup look, the r.e.m. Beauty mogul rocked black geometric cat-eye liner, voluminous lashes, rosy blush and a pink pout.
YouTube.com/ArianaGrande
After her video theme and choreography drew many comparisons to Abdul’s “Cold Hearted” 1998 video, Grande thanked the artist for inspiring her.
Abdul took to Instagram to thank Grande for paying homage to her, and expressed how much she loved Grande’s “yes, and?” video. Grande also wore a similar papillon hat at one point in the video that resembled Abdul’s from her own visual.
YouTube.com/ArianaGrande
Many fans on X (formerly Twitter) praised Grande’s “cute,” “stunning” and “incredible” outfit as well as her vocal prowess and dancing skills.
Others, however, shared their thoughts on the video’s potential meaning and their qualms with the song’s lyrics. “Ariana Grande really out here praising herself as being a homewrecker in her new song like nooooooo girl,” one tweeted as another added: “Can we just cancel #ArianaGrande for being a homewrecker.”
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Grande’s song and video appeared to be a response to the negative reactions she faced when news of her relationship with her co-star Slater, 31, surfaced, who at the time was reportedly married to his high school sweetheart Lilly Jay with a one-year-old child. The “pov” singer urged her fans to focus on their own lives rather than interfering in hers. “Say that s–t with your chest, keep moving like, ‘What’s next? Yes, and?'” she sings.
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Another notable lyric from the song is: “Your business is yours, and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose d–k I ride?” Her question was met with an outpouring of criticism on social media, with fans speculating (and several insiders seemingly confirming) that her relationship with Slater had begun before he ended his marriage with his estranged wife, Jay.
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According to an insider who spoke to Page Six, Jay, who has a 17-month-old son with Slater, was “completely blindsided” by his relationship with Grande.
As she herself told the outlet: “[Grande is] not a girl’s girl.” Jay added: “My family is just collateral damage.” Since that time, Grande and Slater have largely maintained a low profile, although they do make public appearances from time to time, such as visiting Disneyland or enjoying a date night out on the town in New York City.
