A&E Editorial: Ariana Is Bored, Should We Be Worried?

Ariana Grande has been a focal point for news recently. With the release of her newest album, several chart-topping songs, and a mild tattoo fiasco, it’s hard not to have paid attention to her lately.

About two weeks ago Ariana dropped the music video for her new song, “Break up with your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.” The music video is set in a party scene where Ariana appears to be making eyes at a boy before she sees his girlfriend who looks almost exactly like her. She dances with the both of them and flirts some more. The shot cuts to her meeting them at a house party where she continues to flirt, the guy stares, and the girlfriend looks even more like Ariana. The music video concludes with a plot twist (Spoiler Alert) with her kissing the girl instead of the guy, revealing she wanted the girl all along.

Or at least, that’s what most people think. The shot is very dark and cuts off before they really kiss. Some people say this is queerbaiting, as Ariana, who is not LGBTQ+ herself, is just hinting at a homosexual relationship to gain the support and approval of the community. She doesn’t make it very obvious throughout the video and barely shows the queer representation at the end, making it seem like she just sort of added it in there for the shock value.

Others seem to theorize that the song is a future version of her singing to her past self. The “girlfriend” in the video looks and is dressed very similarly to the pop star herself. Some believe this is because she is trying to make her past self-aware of her new views on relationships today and that she feels like she is better off single.

In my opinion, while that theory doesn’t seem too farfetched, I think it’s most likely a nod towards the LGBTQ+ community gone wrong. Ariana Grande is a very active supporter, so it’s not unlikely she would include something like this in her video. However, hiding it in a dark scene perpetuates what’s been happening to queer representation for a while now. It’s given only a few seconds of recognition, then paraded around as great representation. If you want to make a song for the LGBTQ+ community, make them the center focus. Most people are tired of the glimpses and assumptions they have to make about their presence in media.

Overall, the song is a bop. Albeit containing some awkward lyrics, they flow well and make sense and it’s a good song to sing along to with friends. If you haven’t heard it yet, I suggest you give it a listen and check out the music video to see what your conclusions are as well. 

COURTESY PHOTO