As the Mean Girls musical lands in cinemas, Ariana Grande’s gossip-defying comeback single reminds me a little of a classic line in the original. It’s the school Christmas talent show and lovable misfit Damian is singing a rendition of Christina Aguilera’s Beautiful, right down to including the first beat from the music video: “Don’t look at me!” he admonishes the crowd – then brings the house down. That possibly contradictory push-and-pull of hating attention but also craving it drives the housey Yes, And? as Grande rebukes the prurient interest in her personal life but sort of Streisand-effects it at the same time. “Don’t comment on my body / Do not reply / Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose dick I ride?” she sings. If you didn’t know there had been online speculation about her health, her divorce and a new relationship that may have involved some infidelity from one party, you certainly do now.
