Singing superstar reveals she tweaked iconic ‘bend and snap’ to avoid being sued
Pop star sensation Ariana Grande has released her eagerly awaited thank u, next music video, and legally-minded fans won’t be disappointed.
In the five-and-a-half-minute clip, the American singer-songwriter pays homage to a number of classic noughties films by dressing up as high-school queen bee Regina George from hit chick flick Mean Girls, gawky teen Jenna Rink from 13 going on 30 and of course, the whimsical Elle Woods from Legally Blonde.
The music video (embedded below), which has since garnered 89 million views on YouTube and broke the video giant’s record for most views in 24 hours, sees Grande dolled up in head to toe pink and recline on a lounger whilst studying law with her pet pooch. She goes on to recreate the classic nail salon scene, which even features a cameo from the movie’s nail technician Paulette Bonafonté (played by Jennifer Coolidge), before taking to the floor to perform the iconic ‘bend and snap’.
It appears the scene was Elle Woods-approved. On Twitter, Reese Witherspoon, who plays the ditzy blonde in the movie, wrote: “Can we please talk about @ArianaGrande’s Bend and Snap?! 10/10 nailed it! ??? #thankunext”. Grande then revealed that she had to execute the iconic move a little differently than it was done in the film to avoid being sued.
omg we tried to put our own twist on it so legal wouldn’t come for us but THANK U. this is the biggest honor. love u more than words. ? https://t.co/BKHjCgS9jk
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) November 30, 2018
The self-love anthem is a bittersweet ode to Grande’s old flames, including comedian and actor Pete Davidson and the late American rapper Mac Miller, who died of an accidental drug overdose earlier this year.
A cult classic among law students, Legally Blonde follows the exploits of Elle Woods at Harvard Law School. A 2003 sequel to the comedy sees Elle travel to Washington DC on a mission to ban animal testing. A third instalment is apparently in the wings.
