Jennifer Coolidge Is the True Queen of Ariana Grande’s “Thank U, Next” Music Video
After build-up galore, pop queen Ariana Grande has released the music video for her smash-hit breakup anthem "Thank U, Next," and it's jam-packed with Mean Girls-era nostalgia.
Though the chart-topping single officially dropped earlier this month—shortly after Grande announced her split from her reportedly well-endowed ex-fiancé Pete Davidson—the "No Tears Left to Cry" singer kept fans on edge for weeks, sharing snippets of the final music video and behind-the-scenes clips to build anticipation.
And boy, did it work: The video, which premiered at 3pm EST, has already racked up more than 370,000 thumbs-up and 49,000 comments on YouTube.
Early 2000s nostalgia aside, the video packs a hefty punch in terms of star power, too: Out singer Troye Sivan, YouTuber Colleen Ballinger, and Ariana Grande impersonator Gabi DeMartino reimagine some of the hilarious Mean Girls dialogue from the beginning of the film re: head-bitch-in-charge Regina George—or, in this case, Ariana Grande.
Kris Jenner cameos as Grande's "cool Mom" à la comedian Amy Poehler in the iconic 2004 flick, and a few members of the original Mean Girls cast, including out actor Jonathan Bennett (you know him as Aaron Samuels), make appearances.
Of course, Legally Blonde actress Jennifer Coolidge also shows up, reprising her role as the adorably ditsy Paulette Bonafonté. Note to Hollywood: cast her in more things, please!
Parts of the video, including a feisty cheerleading battle and an emotional dollhouse scene, harken back to other big-screen teen classics Bring It On and 13 Going on 30.
Watch the full video for "Thank U, Next" below, early aughts feels included free-of-charge.