Ariana Grande's 'Yes, And?' music video pays homage to Paula Abdul. Here's every key detail you may have missed.

Callie AhlgrimJan 16, 2024, 08:49 IST

Ariana Grande.Ariana Grande/YouTube

Ariana Grande released "Yes, And?" on Friday, the lead single from her forthcoming seventh album.
The music video, directed by Christian Breslauer, is a choreographed response to critics.

Ariana Grande kicked off a new era with "Yes, And?" on Friday, a dance-floor-ready response to her biggest critics.

The music video was directed by Christian Breslauer, who has previously worked with Doja Cat, SZA, and Lizzo.

Keep reading for the nods and references we caught in the clip.

The video opens with a teaser for Grande's seventh album, nicknamed "AG7."

Ariana Grande is expected to release her seventh album in 2024.Ariana Grande/YouTube

Critics are "exclusively" invited to Grande's video shoot.

"Your presence has been exclusively requested."Ariana Grande/YouTube

The concept was inspired by Paula Abdul.

"Cold Hearted" (1989) and "Yes, And?" (2024).Paula Abdul/Ariana Grande/YouTube

Both Abdul and Grande dance for people who intend to judge them.

"Cold Hearted" (1989) and "Yes, And?" (2024).Paula Abdul/Ariana Grande/YouTube

Grande has addressed critics in her music before.

"God Is a Woman" (2018) and "Yes, And?" (2024).Ariana Grande/YouTube

The "Yes, And?" choreography also recalls "God Is a Woman."

Ariana Grande performs "God Is a Woman" at the 2018 VMAs, left.Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Ariana Grande/YouTube

Grande's performance opens with a group of statues, which pay homage to her past albums.

"Yes, And?" features a group of 10 dancers.Ariana Grande/YouTube

Grande's debut album, "Yours Truly," is posed on the staircase.

"Yours Truly" was released in 2013.Ariana Grande/YouTube; Republic Records

Her second album, "My Everything," sits on the floor.

"My Everything" was released in 2014.Ariana Grande/YouTube; Republic Records

"Thank U, Next" can be seen lying on the floor.

"Thank U, Next" was released in 2019.Ariana Grande/YouTube; Republic Records

Grande wears red nail polish, in keeping with the color scheme for her next album.

The "Yes, And?" lyrics also reference red lipstick.Ariana Grande/YouTube

Grande approaches the critics with a tuning fork.

Ariana Grande uses a tuning fork in "Yes, And?"Ariana Grande/YouTube

By the end of the video, she convinces the critics to dance with her. The ones who remain seated are bathed in red light.

Ariana Grande dances with her critics in "Yes, And?"Ariana Grande/YouTube

While Grande and her dancers turn back into statues, the critics do not.

Charli XCX photographed in 2022, right.Ariana Grande/YouTube

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