BAD BLOOD
Band-Aids don’t fix bullet holes…
Since the release of Taylor Swift’s album 1989 earlier this year, Swifties everywhere have been anxiously waiting for the release of the Bad Blood music video. After the Blank Space video, which was about how the media saw Swift, expectations for Bad Blood were high. When it premiered last night at the Billboard Music Awards (Taylor Swift bringing home eight Billboard Awards), the video certainly delivered.
The video features not only Swift’s stellar vocals and an interesting storyline, but also an ensemble of A-List actors, models, and singers that make up the girl gang. Villain Arsyn, who causes the “bad blood” by betraying Catastrophe (Taylor), and pushing her out of a window after they win a fight with men at an office, is singer and Disney star Selena Gomez.
Catastrophe is pulled into an underground agency of sorts, where she is fixed up by the Trinity (Hailee Steinfeld, an Oscar-nominated teenage actress for True Grit, who also starred in Ender’s Game, as well as the new Pitch Perfect 2).
After being healed and dressed in a bad-girl outfit, Catastrophe resumes training, and encounters the rest of the girls. Dilemma (Serayah McNeill, star of Empire, and new friend of Taylor’s) wields no more than a gun and her fists, and, like the others, wears black and dark makeup.
Gigi Hadid, an American-Palestinian supermodel and acquaintance of Taylor’s since a photobombing incident (featured in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition), is featured as Slay-Z, who is seen holding a high-tech weapon reminiscent of a ninja star.
Ellie Gouldling looks fierce as Destructa X, a buckled-out woman swinging an extremely large gun. Model and Instagram darling Martha Hunt can be seen as Homeslice, using a katana-inspired sword during a (presumed training) fight with Catastrophe.
New sensation and star of Paper Towns Cara Delivigne is Mother Chucker, who casually pulls nunchuks out of a purse. Singer, actor, and dancer Zendaya is Cut-Throat, a girl who has edge, impressive aim, and apparently, a grudge against innocent teddy bears.
Pop-punk band Paramore’s lead singer Hayley Williams is the weapon-dodging Crimson Curse, and she has her trademark funky hair, currently a loud red. Things get chilly when Catastrophe trains with Frostbyte, who is portrayed by model Lily Aldridge.
Catastrophe engages in a boxing match with Knockout, played by real-life BFF Karlie Kloss (it all started with cookies, and they were properly introduced thanks to the previously-mentioned Lily Aldridge). Domino (actress, model, and businesswoman Jessica Alba, who starred in the Fantastic Four movies) is introduced riding a TRON-esque motorcycle, in a race with Catastrophe.
Mariska Hartigay (Law & Order: SVU and the daughter of legendary entertainer Jayne Mansfield) and Ellen Pompeo (Meredith Grey in Grey’s Anatomy, whom Taylor’s cat, Meredith, is named after) are seen in the light of a signal flare as Justice (Hartigay) and Luna (Pompeo). Emerging from a corridor, Headmistress comes to light – portrayed by one of the original supermodels, the iconic Cindy Crawford.
In what seems to be a gesture of approval from Headmistress, Catastrophe (now sporting a blood-red hairdo) and several girls of the gang (including Homeslice, Crimson Terror, Dilemma, and Cut-Throat) can be seen walking away from a large explosion, their stiletto steps in sync with each other. Arsyn and several goons behind her are seen walking towards the girls, and the video ends as Arsyn and Catastrophe engage in a fight.
The song’s track also features rapper Kendrick Lamar (Welvin Da Great in the video), and the video additionally features Lena Dunham as Lucky Fiori, Welvin’s acquaintance.
As the song is about betrayal, it is speculated that the inspiration was Swift’s recent feud with Katy Perry (it can even be noted that Arsyn’s wig resembles Perry’s hair). The two former friends have been subtly throwing shade for a while now, and now, Hollywood gossip magazines are anxiously waiting to hear a reaction from Perry.
The moral of the story? Don’t pick a fight with Taylor (or Catastrophe) if you aren’t ready for the explosive repercussions.
Illyanna Torres • Sep 28, 2015 at 9:48 am
I loved this video! being a makeup lover I just simply adored all the bold dark makeup!
Molly Pinkstaff • May 26, 2015 at 11:08 am
Such a good article! Though in the fourth paragraph from the bottom, Hayley’s name is The Crimson Curse, not the Crimson Terror 🙂 Excellent article!