Ariana Grande’s long-awaited album, petal, was released yesterday (July 31st) along with cinematic music video for the album’s title track, which was released a few hours after, as reported by Pitchfork. Directed by Christian Bresauler, the same man who directed her “Hate That I Made You Love Me” music video, the almost seven-minute experience functions more like a short film and a potential callout to the pop star’s critics.
Starting with a parental warning, the “petal” music video follows aspiring actress Pepper, played by Grande, as she goes through multiple auditions, none of which end well. The turning point of the video occurs when a group of producers delivers a harsh assessment of her audition performances, labeling her as everything from “unmarketable” to “unattractive” to “inauthentic.” They go on about how she may have a “personality disorder” and how they miss the old her, reminiscent of some of the same critiques the pop icon receives in real life. The producer’s comments provoke a violent reaction from Pepper, as she goes on a murderous rampage with a chainsaw.
Grande previously described, petal, as an album with “something that is full of life and growing through the cracks of something cold and hard and challenging.” Since its release yesterday, it has claimed nine spots in the Top 10 of Spotify’s Top 50 Global chart. She’s also currently on her first tour in seven years, with her next show slated to be on August 3rd in Chicago’s United Center.
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