A few weeks ago, Sabrina Carpenter unveiled her latest music video for the single “Please Please Please”. The video, featuring her boyfriend and Salt Burn actor Barry Keoghan, made quite the statement that other pop stars can surely relate to.
The song is a heartfelt plea to her partner, begging him not to embarrass her, especially now that their relationship is in the public eye.
This sentiment is encapsulated in the lyric,
"Heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another
I beg you, don't embarrass me, motherfucker"
Many of us can relate to this feeling in our own relationships, whether we’re introducing a partner to our parents for the first time, taking a chance on someone who isn’t our usual type, or rekindling an old flame that our friends know all too well.
The fear of a relationship ending can be heartbreaking and, in some cases, embarrassing, considering the time and effort invested.
In Sabrina’s case, this includes releasing a hit single about Barry. The music video for “Please, Please, Please” is a must-watch.
However, Sabrina Carpenter isn’t the only pop star navigating a high-profile relationship. Louis Partridge, Ethan Slater, Towa Bird, Ben Affleck, and Travis Kelce are all dating insanely talented powerhouse pop stars.
Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Partridge
Enter the enchanting duo, Olivia Rodrigo and Louis Partridge. Olivia, the pop prodigy behind the poignant hit “Driver’s License,” and Louis, the captivating English actor celebrated for his role in Enola Holmes.
The romance, which was merely a whisper of rumours in late 2023, was confirmed with a kiss that December.
Olivia’s song “So American” is a lyrical tribute to Louis. It marked her first blissful love song to appear on an album.
The lyrics playfully navigate the cultural contrasts in their relationship. She croons about his laughter at her jokes, his endearing habit of calling her “so American,” and teases that his continued good behaviour might just lead her down the aisle!
Another hit by Rodrigo, ‘Love is Embarrassing,’ delves into the all-too-familiar experience of declaring to your friends that you’ve found ‘the one’ (perhaps too soon), only to be treated as replaceable and unworthy of the emotional investment shortly thereafter. It’s a relatable sentiment for those of us currently hiding our faces in our hands.
Interestingly, the underlying message in “Love is Embarrassing” echoes that of Carpenter’s “Please Please Please.” Both songs expose the vulnerability and humiliation that can accompany being in love and out of it.
Having weathered the storm of a couple of testy breakups, which birthed some incredible songs, Rodrigo has opened her heart again.
Partridge has been a constant presence at her concerts during her world tour. On Instagram, he has subtly graced her feed as they explore various cities together. These glimpses into their relationship have thrilled fans.
So, here’s a word to the wise, Partridge – tread carefully; the Livies are watching!
Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater
Ariana Grande, our pop queen who got us all saying “Thank You, Next,” and Ethan Slater, the Broadway star famous for bringing SpongeBob SquarePants to life on stage, captured our attention with their budding romance last year.
The two met on the set of the highly anticipated “Wicked” film adaptation, where they’ll play Glinda and Boq. It’s as if they’ve found their yellow brick road to happiness!
However, it hasn’t been all ruby slippers and emerald cities for the couple. Their relationship began under a cloud of drama, shortly after Ariana’s split from Dalton Gomez and Ethan’s separation from his wife, Lilly Jay.
The timing of their romance raised eyebrows and stirred controversy, drawing significant public scrutiny, especially since Slater had very recently welcomed a baby boy with his wife.
Despite the initial backlash, Ariana and Ethan seem to be going strong. They were recently spotted together at the 2024 Stanley Cup Final last month, looking thrilled for the Florida Panthers.
Yet, given the public spotlight and the disruption of a family as a result of their union, a breakup now would be more than just awkward—it would be headline celebrity news.
Funnily enough, around the same time Sabrina Carpenter released her music video “Please Please Please,” Ariana dropped her music video for “The Boy Is Mine,” featuring Penn Badgley, known for his role as Joe in Netflix’s hit series “You.”
Both videos delve into the complexities of love, reminding us how it can drive us all slightly crazy, for better or for worse.
So, Ethan, please, please, please, don’t let theatre kids worldwide down—make it work with Ariana!
Renee Rapp and Towa Bird
Reneé Rapp, a Broadway sensation turned pop star, and Towa Bird, also a musician, met during Reneé’s ‘Snow Hard Feelings Tour,’ which Towa was the opening act for.
This is Rapp’s first relationship since her breakup with TikTok personality Alissa Carrington. After enduring a public split, the thought of starting anew, particularly with another TikTok-born star like Towa, might have been daunting.
The fear of history repeating itself, with Rapp’s personal life once again becoming a topic of public discussion and speculation, was likely overwhelming—a feeling many can relate to when reopening their heart, risking emotional turmoil.
Despite these challenges, Reneé decided to publicly embrace their love life earlier this year on the red carpet at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Rapp appears to have found a balance between maintaining privacy and sharing aspects of her relationship with the public. They went on stage together at a Noah Kahan concert she shared on Instagram a couple weeks ago.
Towa Bird, please, please, please do right by our Mean Girls icon, Reneé!
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck
Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, aka “Bennifer,” have had a love story that’s been on and off for over twenty years. They first met in 2001 while filming Gigli.
Their first run at romance fell short when they called off their engagement in 2004. But there is a plot twist! They got back together in 2021, and fans everywhere were living for it.
Lately, though, there have been rumours that things might be rocky between J.Lo and Ben. Despite their cute public moments, word is they’re living separately, and insiders say their marriage might be on shaky ground.
This comes only a few months after J.Lo dropped her visual album, ‘This Is Me… Now: A Love Story’, which is basically a deep dive into their epic love story.
In her single “Please, Please, Please,” Sabrina Carpenter sings about hoping her partner doesn’t disappoint her—pretty relatable vibes for Bennifer’s rollercoaster romance.
However, only J.Lo and Ben truly know what’s happening between them, so save the embarrassment. Let’s not entirely write off rekindled romances and second chances just yet!
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce
I saved the best for last. We can’t talk about pop star relationships without mentioning Taylor Swift, who needs no introduction, and Chiefs quarterback Travis Kelce.
From all of us Swifties, we beg Kelce: please, please, please don’t embarrass our girl Taylor. Swift has never been this public about a relationship before. For over six years, she kept her love life very private.
Seeing her openly share moments with Kelce online is a massive change for her, and it shows just how special this relationship is.
In a recent interview on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast, Kelce discussed privacy in his relationship with Swift.
“You want to keep things private, but at the same time, like, I’m not here to hide anything. That’s my girl, you know what I mean?”
Travis Kelce
Taylor also recently invited Kelce onstage during the Tortured Poet’s Department Era to help with some theatrics! The crowd for London night three was shocked, but they ate it up.
For many, when you’re in love, you want to love loudly. Some shout it from the rooftops, some talk the ears off of all their friends about how incredible their partners are, and others might go up on stage and carry their girlfriends in their arms in front of 90,000 people!
A Plea
Being openly in love is a beautiful yet scary thing. For these pop stars—Sabrina Carpenter, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Renee Rapp, Jennifer Lopez, and Taylor Swift—it’s on a whole other level.
In Sabrina Carpenter’s music video for ‘Please, Please, Please,’ she makes a plea to all the partners of celebrities and people everywhere: don’t make them embarrassed for ever being with you.
We all deserve a partner who lifts us up, not lets us down!