Entertainment
Good Luck Spotting All The Hidden References In Camila Cabello's New Music Video
Prepare to unleash some dramatic sighs and swoon hard, because Camila Cabello's telenovela-inspired "Havana" music video is a stunner. Clocking in at almost seven minutes, the video proudly celebrates Latinx culture through a multilayered storyline that shows off Cabello's wide array of talents. There's a lot that deserves to be appreciated here, and you don't want to miss anything.
One of the most impressive things that's worth mentioning about both the song and the video is that both are such a confident statement from an artist who has only recently gone solo. Cabello left Fifth Harmony in December 2016, and, while her solo career has remained busy since then, "Havana" feels like a bold declaration that she knows exactly who she is, what she's capable of, and what she wants to achieve. Clearly, Cabello isn't playing around here, or willing to waste time feigning modesty. She's showing off exactly how awesome she is with this video, and, let's be honest, fans are happy to see and hear it.
However, the "Havana" music video isn't just focused on Cabello and her talents. It's a loving ode to a lot of culture and ideas that you'll definitely want to be privy to for the next few 100 times that you re-watch the video. So, here's everything you need to know about the "Havana" music video.
1It Has It Everything You Could Want From A Video
"Havana" manages to pack more entertainment value into its seven minutes than most Oscar winning movies ever manage to consistently achieve. Most importantly, though, Cabello showcases that she can sing, dance, act, and deliver humor with such aplomb that it's actually staggering.
2The Introductory Telenovela Is A Perfect Tribute
"Havana" features all of the melodrama and twists that you could ever hope to enjoy in a telenovela and achieves them in less than a minute. As pointed out by the above Twitter user, the entrance of Cabello's character in the "Havana" music video is similar to an iconic moment featuring infamous character Soraya Montenegro in the most cringeworthy episode of María la del Barrio ever.
3It Stars Two Latino Social Media Superstars
If you found yourself wondering why Cabello's sister and the "young and beautiful" grandma looked so familiar in the video, it's because they're two major Latino celebrities. YouTube star LeLe Pons plays Cabello's difficult sister, while social media celebrity LeJuan James puts in a hilarious performance as her grandma, just over there with the potatoes.
4In Fact, There's A Whole Lot Of Latinx Pride In The Video
Right down to that flip-flop scene.
5This Incredible Piece Of Tongue-In-Cheek Comedy
It was ridiculous and wonderful. But it could also be interpreted as being a comedic response to rumors that Cabello and Lauren Jauregui once dated.
6This Incredible Dance
Seeing Cabello show disinterest in dancing with both men before pairing them up with each other was an unexpectedly glorious moment.
7The Powerful End Note Of The Video
Dreamers is the name often given to individuals who were protected under the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) — a policy that the Trump Administration is phasing out. In September, Cabello spoke out against Trump's repeal of the policy, and in support of the Dreamers. Now she's left a powerful message for them in her music video.
8This Inspiring Sentiment
Can we please get this printed up on a batch of t-shirts ASAP? It's a mantra we all deserve to live by.
9In Fact, While Often Hilarious, The Video Also Has So Much Depth
Seriously, with "Havana," Cabello is making us laugh, cry, dance, swoon, and, for the first time in ages, actually want to leave the house and do things. Granny said so.
10This Crafty Swipe Of Confidence
It's like a subtweet in video form. And it says everything we need to know.
11This Covert "Thriller" Reference
"Havana," might not be a 14-minute musical-horror epic quite on the same level as Michael Jackson's "Thriller." But it's still a mini-movie that shows off flaunt Cabello's talents in the same way that "Thriller" did for Jackson.
To put it simply, the video is amazing on many levels, but it suggests that this is merely the tip of what may be a very exciting and innovative career to come for Cabello.
