Music videos may not dominate prime-time TV like they once did, but Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter are ensuring they remain significant cultural events.
Recently, Ariana Grande released a video for her latest single “The Boy Is Mine,” featuring You actor Penn Badgley. The video includes cameos from Brandy and Monica, paying homage to their iconic song. Grande even transforms into Catwoman, tackling the city’s rat problem and vying for Badgley’s mayoral attention.
In the same week, Sabrina Carpenter unveiled her new single and video “Please Please Please,” co-starring her boyfriend Barry Keoghan. The storyline is equally cinematic, with Carpenter’s character getting bailed out of prison while Keoghan’s character heads inside.
On the latest Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, hosts Katie and Keith discuss these splashy new music videos and their potential to spark a new trend. They also cover chart news, including Taylor Swift’s seventh week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and Eminem’s high debut on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Houdini.”
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is a go-to for pop music enthusiasts, offering lively discussions on the latest pop news, chart stats, and guest interviews. Hosted by Billboard’s Katie Atkinson and Keith Caulfield, the podcast is available on Billboard.com and various podcast platforms.
In the realm of pop culture, Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter are shining examples of hard-working, polished performers. Grande’s recent album “Eternal Sunshine” marks a return to her theatrical roots, featuring blonde curls reminiscent of her Broadway days. She even performed Stephen Sondheim’s “When You Believe” at the Met Gala, starting her performance in a flowerbed.
Grande’s past work has embraced her sexuality, with songs like “Side To Side” and “34+35” exploring intimate themes. However, her current album cycle positions her as a Broadway starlet, preparing for her role in the upcoming Wicked movie.
Sabrina Carpenter, another theatre kid, has also made waves. She briefly played Regina George on Broadway and recently achieved her first No. 1 single with “Espresso.” The music video for “Espresso” is a vibrant, Disney Channel-esque production, showcasing Carpenter’s rise from niche pop girl to household name.
Male theatre kids are also gaining attention. Mike Faist, known for his roles in Newsies and West Side Story, has become a Twitter sensation. His performance in Luca Guadagnino’s film Challengers highlights his theatrical background, earning him a spot in the A-lister circles.
Timothée Chalamet’s role in Wonka further exemplifies this trend. His singing and dancing in the film led to a multi-year deal with Warner Bros, proving that leading men no longer need to fit the traditional action-hero mold.
While some may argue that theatre kids are contributing to a more sanitized pop culture, they are simply capitalizing on the current cultural climate. As Gen Z is often labeled a “sexless generation,” stars like Grande and Carpenter offer a comforting, inoffensive appeal. However, there is still a longing for the unpredictability and explicitness of past cultural icons.
As we navigate this new era of pop culture, the hope remains that the raw, messy, and fun elements of previous icons will eventually return to the spotlight.
