Ariana Grande has unveiled the music video for her latest single, Hate That I Made You Love Me, a gloriously eerie, horror-inspired visual that sees the singer joined by an unexpected co-star: Justin Long.
While the cinematic clip has been praised for its ambitious storytelling, a quick scroll through social media reveals that not everyone is thrilled about Long’s starring role.
Directed by Grande’s longtime collaborator Christian Breslauer, who also helmed her 2025 short film Brighter Days Ahead, the video leans heavily into psychological thriller territory.
Shot by legendary cinematographer Janusz Kamiński, best known for his work with Steven Spielberg, the visual opens with Long burying Grande inside an underground bunker lined with stacks of black-and-white notebooks labelled with her various “insecurities.”
From there, the video unfolds as a darkly surreal exploration of memory, self-perception and emotional baggage, with Grande fully embracing the theatrical storytelling that has become a hallmark of her recent work.
Released on Friday, Hate That I Made You Love Me marks the beginning of a new chapter for the singer ahead of her forthcoming eighth studio album, Petal, due out July 31.
So, Who Is Justin Long?
The American actor first rose to fame in the late ’90s and early 2000s with roles in cult favourites Galaxy Quest, Jeepers Creepers and DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story. Many millennials will also remember him as Apple’s affable “Mac Guy” in the brand’s iconic advertising campaign opposite John Hodgman.
Over the years, Long has built a career spanning comedy, horror and romance, appearing in everything from Going the Distance to the critically acclaimed horror film Barbarian.
The actor has also attracted attention for his personal life, having been linked to several high-profile actresses over the years, including Drew Barrymore, Amanda Seyfried and Kate Mara. He is currently married to actress Kate Bosworth.
What Is The Controversy Surrounding Justin Long?
So, why are some fans upset about Justin Long’s appearance in Ariana Grande’s latest music video?
The backlash largely stems from controversies that resurfaced online in 2023, prompting renewed scrutiny of Long’s past associations and behaviour during the early 2000s.
One focal point was a public allegation made by former Zoey 101 Alexa Nikolas, who claimed that an incident involving actor Jonah Hill took place at a party held at a home where Long was living at the time.
Nikolas subsequently questioned why minors were present at late-night adult gatherings. Long, through a spokesperson, said he had no knowledge of the alleged incident, which he noted would have occurred nearly two decades earlier, while expressing sympathy for victims of abuse. Hill’s legal representatives denied the allegations.
At the same time, a 2006 episode of MTV’s Punk’d featuring Long resurfaced on social media. In the segment, which was framed as a prank, Long is seen interacting with teenage girls and encouraging them to lie about their ages in order to gain access to alcohol.
While the episode originally aired as comedy, many viewers revisiting the footage through a modern lens argued it reflected a broader culture in which inappropriate behaviour around young women was normalised and often dismissed.
The renewed attention has continued to follow Long online. Comments underneath Grande’s new music video include, “Aren’t we not supposed to support Justin Long?” and “I hope that’s not Justin Long.”
Adding another layer to the conversation is the irony that one of Long’s most acclaimed recent roles was in the 2022 horror film Barbarian, in which he portrayed a disgraced actor facing allegations of sexual misconduct.
For some viewers, the resurfaced controversies have complicated their perception of both the actor and his work, helping explain why his casting alongside Grande has prompted confusion online. Others, however, have embraced the unexpected pairing, celebrating the actor’s appearance in the singer’s latest cinematic visual.
Watch Hate That I Made You Love Me
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.marieclaire.com.au ’
