"Thank You", 'next : All of the pop culture references and cameos in Ariana Grande’s new music video

It’s not Oct. 3, but today is a very important day for fans of the 2004 film “Mean Girls” — especially if they happen to also be fans of Ariana Grande.

On Friday, Grande released the long-awaited video for “Thank u, next,” the airy bop she released on the heels of her split from “Saturday Night Live" comedian Pete Davidson. In the song, which Grande unveiled minutes before the Nov. 3 episode of SNL, the singer name-checks Davidson and several of her other exes, including Big Sean and the late Mac Miller.

As Grande hinted in sneak peeks this week, the music video features a bevy of pop culture references — including nods to “Mean Girls,” “Legally Blonde," “Bring It On” and “13 Going on 30.” It also features tongue-in-cheek cameos from some of the stars of those movies, plus members of Grande’s inner-circle and one Kris Jenner.

And like the song, the music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, alludes to Grande and Davidson’s broken engagement. Below, we break down the biggest moments, inside jokes, cameos and pop culture references. (See something we didn’t? Let us know in the comments!)

[Ariana Grande’s ‘Thank u, next’ is the latest breakup song to preach the importance of self-love]

“Mean Girls”
As Grande assumes the role of Regina George, who was played in the film by Rachel McAdams, the music video’s intro parodies the iconic “How do I ever begin to explain Regina George” scene, a montage of North Shore High School students sharing outrageous anecdotes and urban legends about their resident Queen Bee.

Colleen Ballinger, the YouTuber known as Miranda Sings, kicks things off. “One time on Twitter, I heard that Ariana was pregnant, so I got pregnant so we could be pregnant at the same time,” says Ballinger, who really is pregnant. “Turns out it was just a rumor.”

Grande also taps Jonathan Bennett, who played Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels, to reprise his famous role. “Ariana Grande told me I look sexy with my hair pushed back,” he says, referencing a classic line from the movie.

Gabi DeMartino, the YouTube star who “lived like Ariana Grande” in a viral parody, offers a twist on another classic line. “Ariana says ‘honest to god knock me out,’ so I decided to punch myself in the face,” she tells us. “It was awesome.” (Fun fact: Grande really does say that — the phrase was the subject of a matching tattoo she got with Davidson).

And we get our first official Pete Davidson reference when Stefanie Drummond, who played North Shore student Bethany Byrd (the one Regina actually punched in the face), announces that “Ariana broke off an engagement, so I found a guy to propose to me and I broke off an engagement.” The student standing next to her is Scott Nicholson, one of Grande’s backup dancers, in drag.

Fellow pop singer Troye Sivan pokes fun at the fans who misheard one of the song’s much-discussed lyrics. Grande sings of meeting someone new whose “name is Ari,” but some fans thought she said “Aubrey.”

“I heard she’s a lesbian now and dating some chick called Aubrey,” Sivan says.

As the song begins, Grande-as-Regina is adding entries to her Burn Book (another significant reference). When she sings “Even almost got married / And for Pete I’m so thankful,” she glues a photo into the book. Davidson’s face is obscured, but it’s a widely-circulated photo of the pair. Grande shared it to Instagram, after their relationship first went public, with a caption that sent the Internet ablaze: “i am but a pete davidson update acc stay tuned for more (pete follows / comments sumtimes)”

Next, we see her with the Plastics, Regina’s loyal girl squad, which expanded in the film to include Lindsay Lohan’s Cady Heron. Cady is portrayed by Grande’s former “Victorious” co-star, Elizabeth Gillies. Rounding out the Plastics are Grande’s close friends, Alexa Luria and Courtney Chipolone.


As Grande and her Plastics recreate the movie’s iconic “Jingle Bell Rock” scene, the video’s most apt cameo takes shape. It’s Jenner (!!!!!!) taking on the role of Regina’s mother (Amy Poehler, in the film), a cool mom, not a regular mom, who enthusiastically video tapes the performance, which is sexy to the point of being age-inappropriate. Jenner dances and sings along: “Thank u, next. Next!”