2018 may be a nightmare, but there is one guiding light in this storm: Ariana Grande.
"Thank U, Next" has trounced Spotify records, and Ariana is treating us all to an epic and star-studded music video for the breakup anthem.
She has now released a teaser for the video. Take a look:
Ariana has already been blessing fans with stills of herself and others in costume for ther "Thank U, Next" video.
The video contains references and even actual original cast members from 13 Going on 30 along with classics such as Legally Blonde and Bring It On.
Another item on the list is Mean Girls, and this new teaser is all about that 2004 classic that defined the Millennial generation.
This video teaser opens with YouTuber Colleen Ballinger (you know, Miranda Sings) sharing a dire warning about emulating your idols too much.
"One time on Twitter, I heard Ariana was pregnant," she says.
This summer was chalk full of wild rumors, especially as people struggled to understand Ariana’s warp-speed engagement.
"So I got pregnant so we could be pregnant at the same time," Colleen says, showing her baby bump. "Turns out it was just a rumor."
The confessional is, of course, reminiscent of the opening of Mean Girls, in which everyone is discussing popular girl Regina George.
Aaron Samuels was the love interest in Mean Girls (you could argue that Regina George was, but that’s beside the point).
He was played by actor Jonathan Bennett.
In real life, Jonathan has been hosting cooking shows. He also came out as gay in 2017.
It’s amazing to see him return to his most iconic role (and yes, we say that even though he was on Veronica Mars).
Speaking of Mean Girls stars reprising their roles, Stefanie Drummond also returned.
"Ariana broke off an engagement," she says. "So I found a guy to propose to me and I broke off an engagement."
Now, Troye Sivan and Ariana have collaborated musically. It’s no surprise to see him make the cut for Ariana’s epic video.
In the teaser, Troye refers to some gossip that circulated about Ari just weeks after she ended things with Pete Davidson.
"I heard she’s a lesbian now," Troye gossips. "And dating some chick called Aubrey."
Though we all understand the reference, it’s sounds best coming from the lips of Troye — a gay man.
(Sometimes gay rumors are just rumors, but sometimes they’re homophobic; letting Troye say it was a good call from an optics point of view)
Maybe the most stunning casting decision was the appearance of Gabi DeMartino.
Gabi has received a lot of criticism from Ariana’s fans — well, from a few very vocal fans who can’t mind their own business.
Why? Because, as you’ll see, she styles herself almost exactly like Ariana does.
(It’s uncanny — we imagine that folks with face blindness feel like they’re being bullied)
Ariana is sending a clear message that Gabi is okay by her.
Meanwhile, Gabi says some words of her own in this teaser.
"Ariana says ‘Honest to God, knock me out,’" Gabi says, referring to a tweet. "So I decided to punch myself in the face. It was awesome."
We don’t yet know the full extent of who is being cast.
Ariana herself is taking on the role of Regina George.
Liz Gillies, best known for her role as Fallon on the new Dynasty on the CW and for her role as Jade West on Victorious, plays Cady Heron.
(Liz and Ariana were co-stars on Victorious, but they go back further to when they were stage performers along with Graham Phillips)
If you’re not thrilled out of your mind by everything that you’ve seen about "Thank U, Next," that’s okay.
This video isn’t for you.
It is very specifically targeted at the vast majority of Ariana’s fans, for which we are very thankful.
Now we’re left waiting impatiently for the actual, full video.
You know, this star-studded cast is a major power move.
Taylor Swift’s "Bad Blood" music video featured celebrities, and it was a big deal because they were part of her squad.
Ariana is pulling in people who are not from her squad — which is a different kind of power move.
We are living for every moment of this and cannot wait to see the finished product.