Ariana Grande's newly-released 'yes, and?' music video seemingly pays homage to Paula Abdul

Ariana Grande has triumphantly returned to the music scene with her latest single, yes, and?, marking her first solo release in three years since Positions in 2020.

The accompanying music video, directed by Christian Breslauer, is a visual feast that pays homage to the 80s pop icon Paula Abdul. It specifically draws inspiration from Abdul's 1988 music video, Cold Hearted.

The house-inspired track, drawing inspiration from Madonna's Vogue, serves as Ariana Grande's spirited response to the constant media scrutiny and criticism surrounding her life. In her lyrics, she boldly declares her independence and refusal to bend to society's expectations by singing,

"Now, I'm so done with caring/ What you think, no, I won't hide/ Underneath your own projections, or change my most authentic life."

---

Ariana Grande pays tribute to Paula Abdul in her new music video

The music video, a nod to Paula Abdul's legacy, features Ariana Grande confidently showcasing her dance skills in a choreography that depicts her challenging stereotypes and preconceptions.

The video opens with a playful scene where fictional music critics offer comical remarks about Ariana's life and artistry. It is reminiscent of Abdul's 1988 Cold Hearted video, adding a touch of humor to Grande's artistic expression.

Fans eagerly awaiting new music from the pop sensation were treated to a catchy anthem as well as a visually captivating tribute to iconic pop culture references from the 80s.

The visual spectacle and Grande's empowering message reinforce her commitment to authenticity and self-love, themes she recently brought to light in a social media post towards the end of 2023.

The Christian Breslauer-directed music video features eight fictional critics seated in a room full of statues. As the song begins, all the statues crumble to the ground, and the singer emerges from behind the debris. She dons Paula Abdul's signature Papillon hat and engages in a Bob Fosse-inspired ballroom choreography with her backup dancers.

The crumbling of her statue appears to signify her breaking free of societal expectations and criticisms surrounding her personal life.

The song, co-written with her longtime collaborators Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh, and the music video capture Grande's signature style. It incorporates influences from dance floor classics that create a perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary pop.

As Ariana Grande continues to film her major role as Glinda in Jon M. Chu's live adaptation of Wicked, set to release later this year, the latest single from her upcoming seventh studio album showcases her artistic identity.

---

Paula Abdul responds to Ariana Grande's yes, and? music video

Ariana accepts an award presented by Paula Abdul at the 2015 AMA show (Image via Getty/ Kevin Winter)

In a heartwarming moment, Paula Abdul expressed her admiration for Grande's homage to Cold Hearted in an Instagram post. Abdul shared a post featuring two side-by-side clips, one from her 1988 video and one from Grande's latest music video, praising the pop star's tribute as an honor.

"WOW! Waking up to see Ariana Grande pay homage to “Cold Hearted” in her new music video “yes, and?” was EVERYTHING!!! What an honor!"

She ended her statement by showing her love and admiration for the young pop star. Ariana Grande reciprocated the love by commenting on Abdul's post and thanking her for being a constant source of inspiration.

The artist stated,

"I love you too, sweetest queen! thank you for your brilliance and for inspiring me (and so many people) endlessly!"

The similarities between the two music videos, from the setup to the choreography and the similar outfits worn by the artists and their backup dancers, are striking.

Abdul's acknowledgment adds an extra layer of significance to Grande's homage, bridging two generations of pop icons and their fanbases. With yes, and? being the first single from Grande's upcoming studio album, the pop sensation confidently asserts her artistic individuality with this release.

The visual masterpiece and Abdul's endorsement add to Ariana Grande's triumphant return and her unwavering commitment to authenticity in the face of tabloid scrutiny.