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Ariana Grande, Ambiguous Deserving Pop Icon or White Heteronormative Ciswoman Monopolizing off Minorities?

     Ariana Grande has been under much criticism for stealing aspects from other communities to assist in selling records. Looking through an intersectional and queer lens, I’ll give examples of ways Grande has queerbaited LGBTQ+ viewers, appropriated Latinx and Black cultures, and been insensitive towards the real day to day issues people of minorities endure. 

What is queerbaiting?

     Queerbaiting is, “a strategy by which writers and networks attempt to gain the attention of queer viewers via hints, jokes, gestures, and symbolism suggesting a queer relationship... Denial and mockery reinstate a heteronormative narrative that poses no danger of offending mainstream viewers at the expense of queer eyes” (Fathallah). 

     Ari has hinted at being bisexual numerous times throughout her musical career, though she has never specifically defined her sexual orientation. She has stated how she doesn’t feel the need to label herself. Sexuality is fluid and I don’t believe anyone, pop diva or not should be forced to come out. However, presenting an ambiguous nature while selling records and a certain image can come off as suspicious. The usage of homoeroticism to achieve capitalistic gain without actually being in the queer community is a malevolent representation and woefully disrespectful. Queerbaiting (in regards to Ari’s music/videos) insinuates the typical bisexual tropes. It implies bi-women are hypersexual, just doing it for the male-gaze because they are bored with their boyfriends, and not actually bi. 

    Also noteworthy, is it known she has been in multiple hetero-relationships that she doesn’t seem to mind to make comments on or be public about. Do we think Ari’s lack of disclosing her label is her defending her right to privacy or merely a tactic to tease her audience whilst claiming the fame and fortune it produces? 

      In her song, MONOPOLY lyrics include, “I like men and women.” We don’t need to read queerly to understand Ariana is hinting at being bisexual. Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored’s music video plays heavily into homoeroticism. Throughout the video, she is dancing along a heteronormative couple and we are to suspect that Ariana wants the boyfriend. The song is about being jealous and bored, wanting a boy to amuse her. Both Grande and the girlfriend, oddly looking like an Ari clone, are highly sexualized. They flirt and dance seductively throughout the video. (see GIF above) The cherry on top though is the very last seconds of the video when Ariana and the girlfriend begin to engage in a kiss. The video ends abruptly before lips are locked. If this isn’t queerbaiting, I don’t know what is. 

     Another example comes from her song 7 rings. This song and music video have been heavily criticized for queerbaiting, cultural appropriation, and classism. Grande sings how a few of her favorite things include, “girls with tattoos who like getting in trouble.” Is this yet another instance of queerbaiting or is Ari hinting at her unrevealed bisexuality once again?

     Now to discuss cultural appropriation. When legendary singer, Patti LaBelle awarded Grande the Woman of the Year Award from Billboard, she (Patti) called Ariana a “white black girl” referring to her soulful voice. Although an odd statement, that wasn’t the main component of what was questionable. As Grande accepted her award she says, “Thanks for coming to my quinceñera,” (jokingly?) giving off the impression, along with her deeply spray-tanned skin that she is of Latinx heritage, which she is not.

     Grande is an Italian-American born in Boca Raton, Florida. That may be surprising to some because often people assume she is of Latinx or African American descent, not a white woman from Florida. Her heavily spray-tanned skin and use of African-American Vernacular English “accent” raise many eyebrows. More specifically, in 7 rings Ariana sings, “You like my hair? Gee, thanks, just bought it.” Hair, especially African-American hairstyles such as weave is highly racialized and criticized in the workplace. For Grande to monopolize on this reeks of cultural appropriation. She, as a white woman will never endure the oppression women of color who rock natural hair/weave do. Also to note, this music video is set in a pink trap house with kawaii and Asian references and an outfit highly speculated to be ripped off from the drag queen, Farrah Moan. 

     “Whoever said money can’t solve all your problems must not had enough money to solve them.” Wealth can solve a myriad of issues people deal with. Statistically, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people living with disabilities often have more setbacks than their white hetero-cisgender counterparts. Having a massive amount of disposable income a famous pop artist has could easily alleviate many financial struggles or other issues that may arise. Grande not being a person of color, living with a physical disability, or navigating life as an LGBTQ+ individual, this line in 7 rings rings classist and majorly privileged tones.

     So is Ari just expressing her creativity and wanting to defy labels or is she making money off of minorities while keeping her white hetero-cis privileges?

Bibliography:

Brennan, Joseph. “Queerbaiting: The ‘Playful’ Possibilities of Homoeroticism.” International Journal of Cultural Studies, vol. 21, no. 2, 2016, pp. 189–206., doi:10.1177/1367877916631050.

Grande, Ariana. “7 Rings.” YouTube, Republic Records, January 17, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYh6mYIJG2Y&list=PLFO0esT_hEQSy7OkaRaJzifilkkSTDzdZ&index=1

Grande, Ariana. “Break up with your boyfriend, i’m bored.” YouTube, Republic Records, February 8, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH4Y1ZUUx2g

Grande, Ariana. “Monopoly.” YouTube, Republic Records, April 1, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0pryRrJvfI