The pop star’s visual is a metaphor for how women are (and have always been) pitted against each other
Grimes has set her eyes on the future of pop music: Adéla. On Friday, the Slovakian pop star — who was discovered as a contestant on Netflix’s Dream Academy last year — released the video for her single “Machine Girl,” featuring a cameo from Grimes.
The Mitch Dequilettes-directed video sees Adéla in an intense dance sequence with High School Musical: The Musical: The Series actress Sofia Wylie, before the dance battle turns into a physical altercation. “Mean girl mean girl/What’s that even mean girl?” sings Adéla while fighting Wylie. “Said it to your face so you can see just what I mean girl/Wow, Why don’t we ask the crowd?”
The visual then cuts to show Grimes coming onscreen to break up the fight, which is meant to capture how the public often pins women in pop against each other, even in a culture where women support women.
“All the world is a stage and all the people are merely players, so Adéla, I’m going to need a lot more rage, vitriol,” says Grimes in the video. “This needs to roll ceaselessly for eternity. So yeah, guys, take 2025 AD, let’s run it again.”
Grimes is also credited as a co-producer on the track, alongside Liam Benayon, Slush Puppy, and Dylan Harrison. Grimes has been supportive of Adéla since she debuted last year with “Homewrecked” in September and “Superscar” the following month. “Adéla is so talented, and a friend,” Grimes wrote on X Friday. “Loved making a cameo for a future reigning popstar.”
Adéla was one of the Top 20 finalists (and a fan favorite) to be placed in the global girl group Katseye on Netflix’s The Debut: Dream Academy. The pop star had been lauded as a leader among the finalists, but was eliminated after landing last in online voting. Now, the singer is focused on her solo career and stays close to the members of Katseye.
