Like everyone else, Im consuming everything in sight these days, because what else are we going to do, really; but also like everyone else (I suspect) Im using the time either to catch up on series I heard I should have watched, or to be pulled into whatever Netflix serves me up.

Then the other day, @ceas89 sent us a video on Twitter, and I was enthralled and also ashamed. Enthralled because it was amazing; ashamed because before now, I didnt know. The video is a behind the scenes of Trainors song Genetics, featuring Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, and before I clicked, I read the tweet, which said, can you please talk about the work happening in this video? So, I played it (skip to 0:30 to really get to the goods):

The song was released in September 2019, but Meghan posted it just a couple of weeks ago. And, as @ceas89 predicted, I watched it over and over, because its incredible. And Ill confess, I didnt know this work was gonna be here. I love that theyre recording in an apartment or bungalow of some kind weve seen this kind of video before, but often in a blank, black studio. Somehow I felt more welcomed into the room in this video, which is a cool trick.

But its the dynamics of this that I love most.

Meghan starts off complimenting Nicole, in a way that might seem self-deprecating. I have the voice to record, I just dont have the dance moves to dance. Initially I was sort of frustrated with that, because I felt like the Meghan Trainor doesnt have the right body for the music industry narrative is boring, played out, and also, its patently not true. Ask Lizzo.

But as the rest of the video unfolds, its clear that what shes doing is actually trying to build Nicole up. Because its Meghans song, and she knows how it needs to go, while Nicole is anxiously trying to do her best, but is aware, maybe, that shes not *quite* nailing it. We dont see the takes where she doesnt get her vocals to where they need to be, but her affect and the way she looks at Meghan for reassurance makes it clear.

Trainor builds her up, over and over again, Oh-my-God-ing over Nicoles vocals, but also clearly directing her: what kind of tone, what kind of dynamic. Even from her slumped position on the couch shes commanding, as she tells Nicole sing with me, until its clear that Nicole has gotten it right. Wait she directs Nicole during a vocal run, and then, never missing a beat, reminds her, Its a quick but here.

Then look what happens at 2:41. Meghan lays down some vocals, and Nicole, stunned, comments, Wow, she just does it in one take and then puts her head in her hands. As @ceas89 put it, Nicole is legitimately shook, and its true. Its so easy for you, she comments to Meghan, who laughs. No self-deprecation this time

Because its clearly true. Its easy for Meghan. Its easy for her and necessary for her to tell Nicole how the song needs to be done, because she wrote it. Did you know Meghan Trainor wrote songs? I mean, I guess I assumed she wrote her own songs, but I didnt know shed also written songs for Jason Derulo, Jason Mraz, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Michael Bubl, and Jennifer Lopez.

I didnt know. Not really. And I should have.

I loved All About The Bass like everyone else, but as much as I appreciated the retro-bop style, I didnt love the messaging about what boys need, and the follow-ups of Dear Future Husband and Lips Are Moving seemed so retro that I lost interest. Not that Trainor cares her career has been incredibly successful whether or not I like her messaging or packaging or not.

But lets be real: I underestimated Meghan Trainor, maybe because of how she was marketed. I saw her as a gimmicky artist and look, her image does have inherent gimmick-ness to it but I let it cloud me to the phenomenal talent thats gotten her this far, and Im mad at myself for doing it. Why do talented people have to have a certain image? If she was in plaid button-downs and less lipstick in her videos, would I have seen it more? If there were more videos like this out there alongside her cutesy finger-wagging videos?

Im not saying we have to like everyone, and there are millions of talented people, and entire genres of entertainment that are just not for me, the same way some people cant abide musicals, or animation, or non-fiction. But this video was a reminder that even though I think I see through all kinds of showbiz packaging, the stuff I really value hard work, genius-level talent, industry respect is totally separate from the packaging and marketing of an artist, and I let this one slip by me before now. Thank you, @ceas89, for the education.

Whose talent do you think everyone else is sleeping on? (No, Lainey, BTS does not apply here.) Is there someone youve discovered recently, since consuming entertainment has become our collective new job? Do you have a method for exposing yourself to new stuff so you dont make snap judgments like I did? Theres nothing I love more than a celebrity surprise, so if theres someone I, or all of us, should know, hit us up. A new discovery is a delightful comfort and joy right now.

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Meghan Trainor shows her work in behind the scenes video of "Genetics" performance with Nicole Scherzinger of - LaineyGossip