When Pop Princesses Go Rogue
When Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega teamed up for the “Taste” music video, it was like watching two Disney alums gleefully toss their mouse ears into the fire and dance around the flames.
These pop princesses weren’t just playing with fire—they were setting the whole castle ablaze.
But what’s the real story behind this unexpected collab?
Sure, you could take it at face value—a catchy tune with stunning visuals—but where’s the fun in that?
We’re diving deep into the dark secrets and untold stories lurking behind those flawless visuals and cryptic lyrics.
Buckle up, because this ride is about to get bumpy, with enough twists and turns to rival your favourite conspiracy theories.
And don’t worry, newcomers; we’ll make sure you don’t miss a beat (or a beat drop).
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Sabrina’s Evolution: From Girl Next Door to Femme Fatale
Sabrina Carpenter isn’t just another Disney alum trying to shake off the squeaky-clean image; she’s incinerating it and dancing on the ashes, evolving from pop princess to something a bit more complex and daring.
With “Taste,” she’s serving up a dish that’s more bitter than sweet, and it’s absolutely intoxicating.
Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste” is the first track from her recently released album short n’ sweet, which dropped in 2024.
Disco-infused and irresistibly danceable, “Taste” serves as the album’s opener, layering risqué innuendos with themes of revenge and betrayal.
This bold choice for an album opener signals Carpenter’s intention to push boundaries and explore more mature themes in her music.
The song itself is a far cry from her earlier, more bubblegum pop offerings.
With lyrics that slice like a knife—“You took me to the edge, then pushed me off”—Sabrina is clearly in no mood for playing nice.
“Taste” signals a darker, more mature chapter in Sabrina’s career, reflecting personal battles and emotional roller coasters she’s been navigating.
It’s clear Carpenter’s not playing nice anymore, and honestly? We’re here for it.
The Jenna Factor: Wednesday Addams Meets Pop Stardom
Enter Jenna Ortega, fresh off her triumph as Wednesday Addams and ready to inject some delightful darkness into the pop world.
The choice to pair her with Carpenter was nothing short of genius.
Their on-screen chemistry crackles with tension—are they rivals? Lovers? Frenemies?
The deliberate ambiguity keeps fans theorising, and that’s exactly what Carpenter and director Dave Meyers wanted.
The Story Behind the Scenes
The “Taste” music video, directed by the acclaimed Dave Meyers, is a carefully crafted homage to some of the most iconic films in cinematic history.
“Taste” blends pop culture references with a darkly comedic edge that perfectly complements the song’s themes.
Much of the video’s foundation is a tribute to the darkly comedic mayhem of Death Becomes Her, a 1992 cult classic starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn.
In the film, two women battle it out over a man after taking a potion that promises eternal life, leading to absurd and over-the-top injuries.
The music video mirrors this narrative, with a grand, eerie mansion as its backdrop—strikingly similar to the iconic home in Death Becomes Her, where much of the movie’s action takes place.
The mansion in “Taste” isn’t just a setting; it’s central to the narrative, becoming a playground for the outlandish events that unfold.
Decoding the ‘Taste’ Music Video: A Pop Culture Treasure Hunt
In one particularly memorable scene, Sabrina Carpenter is thrown off a balcony and lands directly on a fence, where she is impaled by the posts, left with a gaping hole in her abdomen.
Death Becomes Her: Immortality with a Side of Snark
For those unfamiliar with Death Becomes Her, the hole reveal might be shocking, but fans of the 1992 classic will recognise it as a direct nod to the film, where Streep and Hawn’s characters sustain absurd injuries yet continue to live on thanks to a magical potion.
The video continues this theme of impossible injuries with a shower scene where Jenna Ortega’s character chops off Carpenter’s arm, only for her to be revived seconds later. As in Death Becomes Her, no injury is truly serious.
By the end of the music video, Carpenter and Ortega seem to reach a point of solidarity and affection, echoing Streep and Hawn’s eventual decision to abandon their rivalry over a man in favour of a friendship that will last all eternity (literally).
However, unlike in Death Becomes Her, where the characters’ rivalry persists even as their bodies decay, the “Taste” video takes a slightly lighter turn.
Instead of toppling down the stairs and losing limbs, Carpenter and Ortega share a moment of camaraderie, giggling as they walk down the steps, hinting at their newfound bond.
Kill Bill: Revenge Served Ice Cold
But Death Becomes Her isn’t the only film referenced in “Taste.” Another unmistakable homage is to Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, evident in a scene where Ortega, donning a nurse’s outfit complete with an eye patch, bears an uncanny resemblance to Elle Driver (played by Daryl Hannah), one of the film’s most memorable villains.
The eye patch isn’t just a fashion statement—earlier in the video, Carpenter stabs Ortega in the eye with a knife, a brutal moment that echoes Kill Bill’s unflinching approach to violence.
The knife-in-the-eye scene is a nod to the film’s characters, who, despite suffering severe injuries, continue their quests for vengeance.
Child’s Play: Voodoo Shenanigans
The Child’s Play series, known for its killer doll Chucky, also gets a nod in “Taste” as Carpenter uses a voodoo doll to control Ortega, manipulating her movements with a sinister glee.
This scene is reminiscent of the supernatural horror series, where Chucky’s malevolent spirit inhabits a doll.
However, the twist comes when Ortega reveals that she, too, has a voodoo doll of Carpenter, which she tosses into the fire, causing the singer to burst into flames.
Psycho: Shower Scene Reimagined
No horror-themed music video would be complete without a nod to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and “Taste” doesn’t disappoint.
In a scene where Carpenter marches into the mansion (knife in hand) and finds Ortega and her lover in the shower, she attempts to strike—a clear homage to the iconic shower scene from Psycho.
However, the scene doesn’t end with a lifeless body slumped over in the tub.
Instead, it escalates into the ongoing violent exchange between Carpenter and Ortega, with the Wednesday star instead chopping off the “Espresso” singer’s arm.
While the video doesn’t outright reference the upcoming Beetlejuice sequel, it does drop some hints.
The final scene of “Taste” features shots that bear an uncanny resemblance to the film’s first-look images of a funeral scene.
Beetlejuice 2, set to be released on September 6, 2024, also stars Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz, Lydia’s (Winona Ryder) daughter.
The music video’s playful nod to the spooky aesthetic of Beetlejuice adds another layer of anticipation for fans awaiting the sequel.
The Impact and Speculation
Now that the video is out in the wild, what’s the fallout? For starters, the “Taste” music video has solidified Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega as a power duo.
Their collaboration has sparked endless speculation about future projects—could a movie be next? A joint album? Fans can only dream.
The impact on their careers is significant. Sabrina’s shift towards darker, more complex themes has set her apart from her peers, proving that she’s not just another pop star—she’s an artist with something to say.
Jenna, on the other hand, has shown that she’s not just an actress; she’s a multifaceted talent who can hold her own in any medium.
And let’s not forget the fans. Theories about the video’s meaning, the potential real-life implications, and what this collaboration says about the stars’ relationship have been flying around social media.
Some fans are convinced that the tension in the video is rooted in real-life drama, while others see it as a clever play on public perceptions.
Fan Theories and Dark Twists
Speaking of theories, let’s dive into some of the best ones out there. Fans are nothing if not creative, and they’ve come up with some pretty wild ideas about what’s really going on in the “Taste” music video.
One of the most popular theories is that the video is a metaphor for the pressures of fame.
Sabrina and Jenna’s interactions represent the duality of public personas—the sweet and the sour, the taste and the aftertaste.
It’s a dark twist on the typical pop music narrative, and it’s definitely got people talking.
Then there’s the speculation about a kiss between Sabrina and Jenna.
While the video plays with the idea of a possible romantic or intimate connection, it stops just short of confirming anything, leaving the moment unresolved.
This has only fuelled the fire for fans, who are eager to see more from this dynamic duo.
Another theory suggests that the video is inspired by personal experiences, with Jenna representing a past relationship or a significant figure in Sabrina’s life who has left a lasting impact.
The song’s lyrics and the intense emotions displayed in the video lend credence to this idea, making it one of the more compelling interpretations.
And then there’s the question everyone’s asking: who is the guy in the “Taste” video?
The mysterious male figure adds another layer of intrigue, with some fans speculating that he represents a past lover or a symbolic figure in the narrative.
His presence in the video is subtle yet significant, leaving viewers to piece together his role in the unfolding story.
A Taste That Lingers
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? The “Taste” music video isn’t just a catchy tune with pretty visuals—it’s a deep, dark dive into the complexities of relationships, fame, and everything in between.
Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega have created something that’s more than just a collaboration; it’s a cultural moment.
Whether you’re here for the music, the drama, or just to see what all the fuss is about, one thing’s for sure—you won’t be able to stop thinking about “Taste” long after the final note has played.
And that, my friends, is the mark of a truly unforgettable music video.
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Sabrina Carpenter Taste Lyrics
Verse 1
Oh, I leave quite an impression
Five feet to be exact
You’re wonderin’ why half his clothes went missin’
My body’s where they’re at
Pre-Chorus
Now I’m gone, but you’re still layin’
Next to me, one degree of separation
Chorus
I heard you’re back together and if that’s true
You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you
If you want forever, I bet you do
Just know you’ll taste me too
Post-Chorus
Uh-huh
Verse 2
He pins you down on the carpet
Makes paintings with his tongue (La-la-la-la-la-la-la)
Hе’s funny, now all his jokes hit different
Guеss who he learned that from?
Pre-Chorus
Now I’m gone, but you’re still layin’
Next to me, one degree of separation
Chorus
I heard you’re back together and if that’s true
You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you
If you want forever, I bet you do (I bet you do)
Just know you’ll taste me too
Post-Chorus
La-la-la-la-la-la-la
Bridge
Every time you close your eyes
And feel his lips, you’re feelin’ mine
And every time you breathe his air
Just know I was already there
You can have him if you like
I’ve been there, done that once or twice
And singin’ ’bout it don’t mean I care
Yeah, I know I’ve been known to share
Chorus
Well, I heard you’re back together and if that’s true
You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you
If you want forever, I bet you do (I bet you do)
Just know you’ll taste me too
Post-Chorus
Taste me too, ow (La-la-la-la-la-la-la)
You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you
You, no, yeah, ah-ah (La-la-la-la-la-la-la)
You’ll just have to taste me when he’s kissin’ you
