Ariana Grande's New Video 'Twist Ending' Sparks Controversy Over Queer-Baiting
I woke up refreshed with clear, hydrated-looking skin and couldn't figure out why. Then I opened my Twitter app to a stream of fire emojis flooding my timeline, and realized something big happened at the stroke of midnight. Ponytail princess Ariana Grande finally released her follow-up to Sweetener, the highly-anticipated thank u, next.
Yes, the album has its bops (still bumping "7 Rings," sorry not sorry) and a slew of references to ex-boyfriends Pete Davidson and the late rapper Mac Miller, but the song that kept most Ariana stans up at night was "Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored," thanks to the dramatic visual she dropped at midnight. In it, Ariana is seen eyeing a couple in a club before she gets invited to join the couple on the dance floor. Judging from the song's lyrics, you'd be forgiven if you assumed Ariana was after the guy, but in a shocking turn of events, Ariana actually ends up with the woman, instead.
The ending left many of her fans "shook," as some believed the video was possibly Ariana's way of confirming she's bisexual.
WAIT SO DID ARIANA COME OUT AS BI IN THE VIDEO OR NAH OMG
- jing🧸 (@chokeboard) February 8, 2019
But not everyone agreed that Ariana was actually coming out. Some accused the singer of queer-baiting: subtly hinting at queer sexuality without actually owning it, in a ploy to appeal to LGBTQ audiences.
ok tea but if ariana isnt bi and had that ending to break up with ur gf im bored idk im gonna be a lil :/ bc lgbt themes shouldn't be used in music videos just to add shock value or be like wow look at me idk
- Val🌙⭐ (@galaxy_pal) February 8, 2019
so like. Is Ariana bi or is she just a straight woman using the concept of bisexuality to sell music?? I need ANSWERS
- hae (@hailstormhay) February 8, 2019
i understand what the ending of Ariana’s video is supposed to mean but i really don’t like how she is riding this wave of rumors that she’s bi or whatever when she’s a straight woman. gay ppl aren’t a trend and kissing a girl is not something to bait wlw/the lgbt community w.
- i dont stan anyone except myself (@saintmctel) February 8, 2019
i love ariana so much and i’m so proud of her always but the buwygib mv wasn’t right of her.
i know some people are saying the other girl is supposed to be a version of her, but being lgbtq shouldn’t be used for aesthetic or trend, like the ending, no matter the intended meaning- tahlia ♡ 48 (@bermanswife) February 8, 2019
“twist ending” ariana rlly just be using the gays for shock value huh
- maya sánchez (@mayatereza) February 8, 2019
really hope ariana is actually bi bc if not then that mv ending was just queer bating n that's just. really Not it pic.twitter.com/yor99YtXnd
- ☆ (@jung7ook) February 8, 2019
Others took the song for an anthem about self-love. In the video, the man's girlfriend looks eerily similar to Ariana, from the high ponytail to the oversized hoodie (you know, Ariana's signature "lampshading" look). Fans realized Ariana wasn't really asking for the man to breakup with his girlfriend for her own selfish gain, she was telling herself to breakup with her boyfriend to focus on loving herself.
ariana is not stealing someone's girl lol, she's actually the girl in the video breaking up with her bf to focus on loving herself, this is not a reach. pic.twitter.com/6rfRLVqi6Z
- gab (@fabgaab) February 8, 2019
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