Ballet Stars Shine in Olivia Rodrigo's Slow-Mo Video

New York City Ballet principal dancer Tiler Peck embraced the opportunity to choreograph Olivia Rodrigo's music video for 'stupid song.' Peck emphasized the importance of showcasing authentic and accurate ballet, handpicking her colleagues from the New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.

Filming the video presented a unique challenge: it was shot at 1.6 times the song's actual speed to create a dramatic slow-motion effect. This required Peck to devise choreography that would look graceful and impactful when viewed in slow motion, paying close attention to moments usually unseen.

The production team meticulously planned the steps, realizing that maintaining balance and executing movements en pointe looked best on camera. They filmed extensively in studios, experimenting with different steps to determine what translated most effectively to the slow-motion format.

During the shoot, which began around 6:00 a.m. on the New York City streets, the dancers wore pink tutus specially dyed by the New York City Ballet costume department. These custom tutus now serve as a unique reminder of the collaboration.

Peck expressed pride in bridging her two worlds of ballet and pop music, aiming to make ballet more accessible. She believes the video's reach will introduce real ballerinas to a wider audience who may not have the opportunity to see New York City Ballet perform live.