Dove Cameron flips the script on men in new ‘Breakfast’ music video
The queer artist also issues a call to action following the overturning of abortion rights in the US.
Words: Alastair James; pictures: Sony Music
Dove Cameron’s latest music video for ‘Breakfast’ sees the actor-musician flipping the script as she tackles issues such as gender roles and abortion rights in the US.
The powerfully cathartic video, directed by Lauren Dunn, sees a Mad Men-era world where the roles are reversed and women are the ones with the power, while Dove’s house-husband does the cleaning, cooks the dinner, and waits for his wife to come from work.
Dressed in the finest pinstripe suit Dove lords over her male secretary, playing pranks on them and enjoying her male subordinates as she sings lyrics like: “I eat boys like you for breakfast/One by one hung on my necklace”.
“Oh my god, men are so emotional. Get it together, you know.” Dove whispers in one break.
Her secretary is then seen in a doctor’s office, their feet in stirrups in a poignant reference to abortion. They’re then told by a doctor that they’re ok, to not drink so much next time, and to dress appropriately and not provocatively.
However, Dove’s reality begins to crack as while working at home the TV broadcasts images and coverage of the recent overturning of Roe vs Wade in the US, a legal precedent that previously protected abortion rights for women.
A title card at the end then reads “Not the end” before issuing a call to action for people to learn more and get engaged with four key organizations on the frontlines: Supermajority, EMILY’s List, Headcount, and National Network of Abortion Funds.
Speaking of the video and its powerful statement on gender inequality and body autonomy Dove says, “I was feeling incredibly disillusioned watching the recent SCOTUS ruling and I couldn’t wrap my head around making a music video at a time when I felt so desolate.”
“With this video, I want to show the disturbing contrast between stylized femininity and masculine power and the gender stereotypes that plague our social commentary. I want the audience to notice how strange it is to watch the roles be reversed and it was important to highlight how ingrained these roles really are in our nervous systems.”
She continues that the video is a reminder that “‘how it’s always been’ should never be a reason for desensitization or upholding broken systems.” The singer hopes that by re-contextualizing things people will be encouraged to make a difference and enact change.
‘Breakfast’ is the follow-up to Dove’s hit queer anthem ‘Boyfriend,’ which has gained more than 349 million streams worldwide to date and has peaked at #9 on the UK Official chart since its release.
Dove recently scored an MTV VMA nomination for Best New Artist.
Check out the video for ‘Breakfast’ below’:
The Attitude September/October issue is out now.
