Over the weekend, Japanese comedian Naomi Watanabe released a music video of herself parodying Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s Rain On Me on her YouTube channel.
Although it’s a nonprofit, the parody parodies the full four-minute music video for Lady Gaga’s latest single, featuring Ariana Grande. The role of Lady Gaga is none other than Naomi Watanabe. For the role of Ariana Grande, Watanabe has a special guest: Yuriyan Retriever, fellow comedian and her junior at the same agency.
According to Watanabe’s Instagram post, the parody was filmed “almost in exact frame” and “in rhythm.” Not only are there real dancers, but even the costumes and hairstyles are as close to the original as possible.
If we were to spot any differences, the only ones that comically stand out are “space rain” instead of knife rain. Of course, that stick space (Japanese rice dumplings) protruding from Watanabe’s thigh, which she later viciously pulled out and took a bite of.
The highly entertaining video has nearly 4 million views. Apparently, even Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande approve of this beyond-legal parody music video.
Watanabe said that when she first saw the original Rain On Me in late May, she found it “so powerful and amazing.” Resolute Watanabe continues to shoot parody music videos with “no financial benefit and huge cost” after coronavirus quarantine
Showing off some behind-the-scenes photos in her recent Instagram post, the comedian joked: “I let the artist power I had stored up during quarantine explode! This music video didn’t make any money, so I owe my company a fortune Production fees. Hope that blows up and goes away too. I’ll think about it a decade from now when I hope I’ve paid them off.
Regardless, this expensive but fun parody music video sure made our day! You should also check out the original versions of Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande in full.
Naomi Watanabe rose to fame in 2008 for imitating Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” and was dubbed the “Japanese Beyoncé”. Last year, she endorsed Japanese cosmetics brand SK-II and captivated many hearts with her wacky antics. One of the most influential figures on the internet, Watanabe also became a global ambassador for US luxury fashion brand Kate Spade New York earlier this year.
