Despite recent controversy surrounding arguably everyone’s favorite girl group, KATSEYE, the girls are still thriving. (A Super Bowl ad appearance? I see you!) On top of all that, the girls have also started to take on solo projects, with the iconic Lara Raj starring in Baby Keem’s new music video for “Birds & The Bees,” hot off the release of his second album, Ca$ino. Not only does Lara play the alluring and scheming love interest of Keem’s character, she does so in a way that both highlights South Asian representation and empowers women.
In the music video, Keem’s character repeatedly becomes frustrated with Lara’s character, Anna, who’s taking too long to get ready for an event. When she finally steps out in a gorgeous gold mini dress, asking, “Am I still playing now?” he appears stunned by her beauty (as was I).
The South Asian representation was especially prevalent here due to Lara’s look — her adorning the gold bindi (a hallmark of South Asian culture) and wearing dark eyeliner reminiscent of old Bollywood actresses. Despite playing a character, Lara stays true to her roots and her authentic style, incorporating South Asian elements into her character that make her even more captivating.
The character Lara plays is also important as it relates to South Asian culture. Her character is portrayed as this hot, promiscuous, and sexy woman — a lot of which is often frowned upon in South Asian culture. But from my perspective, I believe Lara is redefining the brown girl character and, instead, pushing back against those outdated cultural norms. It feels empowering just watching her character and her style in the video. In watching it, I was seeing the representation I’d always hoped for, and loved to see a South Asian person being viewed as the main character.
After Keem’s character quite sheepishly reveals, “I should have brought Jade,” Lara’s character punches him in the face and takes all his money — only the most rightful form of revenge. Not only is it empowering for the woman to be portrayed as the villain in her own right, but Lara executes it in a way that’s so badass.
Lara taking on this solo project — despite managing so much pressure being in such a successful girl group — is huge, because I feel like it aligns with her true personality. It allows her to create an identity outside the group, and her character in the video stays in alignment with her overall personal style. Also, her acting skills? Not only could I not look away because of how good she looked, but her style matched her character so well, and despite only having a couple lines, she played the evil girlfriend part perfectly.
KATSEYE as a group is continuing to grow in its ongoing success, and the women are set to headline Coachella later this year. As a group, they thrive, but it’s also nice to see them take on their own solo projects, and show off more of their own talents through these solo adventures. Lara’s appearance in Keem’s music video does just that, and further reiterates the message for brown girls everywhere — that we’re not just nerdy side characters, we’re the hot main chicks, too.