Get your tissues out. On March 8, Ariana Grande released "Eternal Sunshine" 's second single "We Can't Be Friends (Waiting for Your Love)", which seems to tell many heartbreaking stories at once. In a surprise move, the singer features Evan Peters in her new music video, depicting a love story that will make fans cry.
The new video pays homage to the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind , which inspired Grande's new album. It follows a similar storyline, with Grande erasing all memories of her previous relationships from her brain.
As she undergoes surgery, she relives her most cherished memories with Peters, from winning arcade games to making snow angels. As a result, the remnants of their romance are replaced with new items, like dog bowls instead of dazzling necklaces.
Viewers were shocked by Peters' unexpected appearance and were completely captivated by his portrayal of Grande's sincere, romantic ex-boyfriend.
"Evan Peters just blocked me," one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), while another said they "kinda put" Grande on the actor together. "Evan Peters please be my perfect boyfriend," one X user asked.
This song has many meanings
While the lyrics to "We Can't Be Friends" can fit into the video's storyline, they can also have some different interpretations. Grande appears to be addressing her contentious relationship with the media, possibly in response to the scrutiny she's faced following reports of her romance with Ethan Slater (her Wicked co-star).
In the first stanza, she wishes to live openly without fear of judgment. “I don’t wanna stand on my tiptoes, but I don’t wanna hide either,” she sings. "But I don't want to contribute to this terrible fire. I just want this story to go away so I'm OK."
Grande mentioned the media again in the chorus, seemingly confronting reporters and accusing them of changing their feelings toward her. “You hold on tight to your paper and pen,” she sings. "Wait until you like me again."
She previously spoke about her views on the media in an interview with The Zach Sang Show . "We selectively remember, and that's what the tabloids do to people, especially women, based on whether we like the person or not," she said. "We selectively leave room for humanity and nuance. They don't leave room for that."
