Reese Witherspoon Iconically Gave Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next' Her Seal of Approval
Ariana Grande’s “thank u, next” music video dropped Friday on YouTube, with almost a million viewers tuning in for its live premiere—and it promptly broke the YouTube record for most views in 24 hours overnight. Safe to say it’s been a hit, thanks not just to the catchy tune—or, well, the absolutely human and respectful way she addresses her exes—but for its clever throwbacks to some of the planet’s favorite rom-coms. Throughout the five-and-a-half minute video, Grande and her friends perfectly reference the lead characters in Mean Girls, Bring It On, Legally Blonde, and 13 Going On 30. And it hasn’t escaped the notice of the actresses in those hit movies either: Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner both tweeted about Grande’s music video—and let’s just say they love it.
As it turns out, Grande’s reenactment of Legally Blonde’s famous “Bend and Snap” maneuver—complete with a cameo from Paulette (Jennifer Coolidge) from the film—around the four-minute mark is what naturally made its way to none other than the OG Elle Woods: Reese Witherspoon.
“Can we please talk about @ArianaGrande‘s Bend and Snap?! 10/10 nailed it! #thankunext,” Witherspoon tweeted about the viral video.
Grande was properly (understandably) starstruck: “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,” Grande wrote back.
Actress Jennifer Garner, who originally played lead character Jenna Rink in 13 Going On 30, is also more or less obsessed.
“Every now and then something comes along and just brightens your day,” Garner wrote on her Instagram. “@arianagrande you’re adorable. Thank you, pretty girl. #thankunext.”
Grande was absolutely thrilled by Garner’s reaction, too. She commented on the ‘gram: “nooooooooOoOOoOo I’m crying. I watched this movie every night before bed growing up (and I still do sometimes, especially when I’m sad).i adore you! Thank you for all the inspiration and joy you’ve brought to my life i’m screaming bye.”
She then replied to her own comment, “and by sometimes i mean literally everynight but still.”
Grande then understandably fangirled on Twitter.
Mark Ruffalo, who played love interest Matt Flamhaff alongside Garner in the 2004 rom-com, also gave the video his thumbs-up. He tweeted, “Having some Razzles (it’s a candy AND a gum) in your honor, @ArianaGrande! #thankunext”
Grande responded in the only appropriate way: “one more time. i’ll log out now. i can’t handle this shit.”
Bring It On actress Gabrielle Union also tweeted at Grande on Twitter. “Why yes, I am an East Compton Clover! Are we meeting today @ArianaGrande I’ll bring the punch”
https://twitter.com/itsgabrielleu/status/1065388761092022272
Mean Girls’ Lindsay Lohan also commented on Grande’s reprisal on November 28, two days before it was released. Lohan, in true fashion, wrote, “Behind the scenes ? ain’t nobody Lindsay Lohan like the real Lindsay Lohan. But so flattered by @arianagrande loving #MeanGirls so much!”
Scroll down for even more reactions:
Troye Sivan
Kris Jenner
Chloe x Halle
Safe to say it’s a hit—and we’re loving all these good vibes heading Grande’s way.
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