Ariana Grande Says ‘We Can’t Be Friends’ Video Is About ‘Toxic’ Patterns: Watch Behind-the-Scenes Clip

Hannah Dailey
·2 min read
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Ariana Grande paid the ultimate tribute to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in her recent “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” music video, re-creating the 2004 Jim Carrey-led sci-fi romance’s mind-wiping premise in order to forget all memories of an ex-lover. And in a new behind-the-scenes clip shared Wednesday (March 13), the pop star gave insight into how she translated the film into a personalized visual.

“This video is our own short version of the Eternal Sunshine movie, because we felt like that was the perfect thing,” Grande tells the camera in the clip, standing on set of the music video’s snow angel scene. “Both of the characters end up discontinuing the cycle of their toxic pattern.”

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Directed by Christian Breslauer, who joined Ari in talking about the project in her behind-the-scenes footage, the “We Can’t Be Friends” music video finds the singer reflecting on her time with an ex-boyfriend played by Evan Peters, whom she calls “brilliant” in the new clip. On set, the two laugh together in between takes, both giggling as Grande leans her head on the American Horror Story alum’s shoulder.

“It’s kind of about erasing the pain and only wanting the best for someone, even if it means not each other,” Grande added. “It’s not like one person’s wrong, or the enemy.”

When Breslauer observes that everyone goes through heartbreak at some point, the Grammy winner pokes fun at her own past luck with love. “Or you’ll get many,” she quips, smiling knowingly into the camera lens.

Released Friday (March 9), Grande’s new album Eternal Sunshine is gunning for a No. 1 debut on the Billboard 200. It was preceded by just one single — the Billboard Hot 100-topping “Yes, And?”

The vocalist spent the weekend out and about, promoting the record on Saturday Night Live March 9. In addition to singing “We Can’t Be Friends” and another new song, “Imperfect for You,” as that week’s musical guest, she joined in on a couple sketches with Bowen Yang and host Josh Brolin.

On Sunday (March 10), she and Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo presented best original song at the 2024 Oscars, for which she showed out in a stunning, Glinda-esque pink gown. She gasped with delight upon reading that her friend, Billie Eilish, had won the category for Barbie‘s “What Was I Made For?”

Watch Grande behind the scenes of “We Can’t Be Friends” below.

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