In 2011, the world was rocked by a music video that featured one of the most beloved teen idols of the 90s. It was none other than James Van Der Beek, the star of the hit TV series Dawson’s Creek. But this time, he wasn’t playing the good-natured, sensitive Dawson Leery. Instead, he was featured in Kesha’s music video for her song “Blow”, and let’s just say, he turned his teen-drama image upside down.
The music video, which was directed by Chris Marrs Piliero, was released in February of 2011 and instantly became a viral sensation. It featured Kesha and James Van Der Beek as rival space-faring agents, battling it out in a futuristic world. But what caught everyone’s attention was Van Der Beek’s character, who was far from the clean-cut, heartthrob roles he was known for.
In the video, Van Der Beek is seen sporting a handlebar mustache, a gold chain, and a leather jacket. He also has a tough, bad-boy attitude, complete with a gun and a rebellious attitude. This was a stark contrast to his previous roles, which often portrayed him as the sensitive, lovelorn leading man.
But what made this transformation even more surprising was the fact that Van Der Beek was willing to poke fun at his own image. In one scene, he is seen dancing on a stripper pole while wearing a cowboy hat and a shirt that says “I love kittens”. It was a hilarious and unexpected moment, showing that he was not afraid to make fun of himself and his past roles.
The music video was also a departure from Kesha’s usual style. Known for her party anthems and wild persona, “Blow” was a more cheeky and tongue-in-cheek song, taking a playful jab at the media’s perception of her as a wild child. And who better to join her in this playful parody than Van Der Beek?
The chemistry between Kesha and Van Der Beek was undeniable. They both fully committed to their roles, making the music video a joy to watch. Fans couldn’t get enough of the unexpected pairing, and the video gained millions of views in just a few days.
But it wasn’t just the unexpected pairing that made this music video so memorable. Van Der Beek’s performance was spot on, and he proved that he had some serious comedic chops. The way he embraced the outlandish character and brought a new energy to the video was truly impressive.
Moreover, Van Der Beek’s participation in the music video showed that he was not afraid to take risks and step out of his comfort zone. He could have easily turned down the role, fearing that it might tarnish his image as a serious actor. But instead, he chose to have fun with it and showed a different side of himself to the world.
In an interview with MTV News, Van Der Beek shared his thoughts on the music video, saying, “I just thought it was a really funny script. I thought it was really smart and it was taking my image and sort of twisting it in this whole other direction.” He also added, “It was definitely an opportunity to do something completely different and, you know, I don’t get to often step out of the world of drama.”
The music video for “Blow” was a refreshing change of pace for both Kesha and Van Der Beek. It showed that they were not afraid to have a little fun and take a break from their usual styles. And for Van Der Beek, it was a chance to break away from his teen-drama image and prove that he can do comedy just as well.
In the end, the music video for “Blow” was a huge success, gaining millions of views and cementing Van Der Beek’s reputation as a versatile and talented actor. It was a fun and unexpected collaboration between two artists from different worlds, and it will always be remembered as the moment when the Dawson’s Creek star turned his teen-drama image upside down.
