Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Motivation” Is a Chosen Family Anthem and a Ridiculously Beautiful Trip Through Paris

Let’s start with the obvious: “Motivation” is a great song.

It is bright, infectious and unmistakably Carly Rae Jepsen a burst of pure pop joy with a chorus engineered to take up permanent residence in your head. But it would be irresponsible not to acknowledge the video’s other immediate selling point: spending a day in the life of dancer and choreographer Matt Antonucci is incredibly easy on the eyes.

Very easy. Suspiciously easy.

From the opening sequence, it becomes clear why Antonucci choreographed the entire video. He does not simply move through Paris; he appears to conduct it with his body. Every turn, stretch and perfectly controlled gesture feels effortless, expressive and completely connected to the song.

After moving past how beautiful he is and how perfectly he can move both his body and, somehow, your soul you settle into what is genuinely one of Carly Rae Jepsen’s most gorgeous music videos.

Filmed in Paris and directed by artistically gifted Brazilian filmmaker Caio Vieira, “Motivation” is cinematic without becoming self important. The city is not used merely as a glamorous backdrop. Its streets, apartments, cafés and quiet corners become part of the choreography, giving the video the intimacy of a short film and the spontaneous energy of following a friend through an especially fabulous day.

Vieira shoots Paris with warmth and affection rather than tourist-brochure perfection. The camera feels curious, capturing movement, glances and little flashes of personality. Every frame is polished, but the world never feels sterile. There is life inside it messy, stylish, playful and beautifully human.

That visual language makes “Motivation” the perfect anthem for chosen family.

The song celebrates the people who give us permission to be loud, complicated and entirely ourselves. It is about belonging without sanding down the parts that make us different. In the video, dancing becomes a language of connection: something passed between friends, lovers, strangers and all the people who find one another and decide, “Yes, you’re one of us.”

For queer audiences in particular, that idea lands with extra force. Chosen family is more than a catchy theme or sentimental slogan. It is the community we build when traditional definitions of family cannot contain everything we are.

“Motivation” understands that family can be inherited, discovered, assembled—and occasionally found dancing through Paris looking offensively attractive.

Antonucci’s choreography gives that message its pulse. The movement is sensual without feeling forced, technically precise without losing its freedom and theatrical without overpowering the people performing it. He knows exactly when to command the frame and when to let a smaller gesture speak.

The choreography does not sit on top of the song; it reveals what was already beating inside it.

And through it all, Carly remains Carly: open-hearted, slightly mischievous and completely sincere about the possibility of human connection. She has built an extraordinary career by making huge emotions feel intimate and intimate moments feel worthy of a disco ball.

“Motivation” is another damn home run from British Columbia’s hometown pop girl. Born in Mission, perfected for the dance floor and adopted by the gays nature is healing.

At this point, Carly Rae Jepsen’s calling card probably should not be “Call Me Maybe.” It should be: “Don’t call me. I’ll call you…maybe.” Because thanks to Justin Bieber helping send that original song into the stratosphere, her phone presumably has not stopped ringing since 2012.

Thanks, J Biebs.

With an irresistible song, exceptional choreography and Caio Vieira’s beautifully cinematic direction, “Motivation” is more than attractive people dancing attractively in Paris although, to be clear, it is also very successfully that.

It is a joyful celebration of movement, identity and the families we choose for ourselves. Carly has once again delivered the kind of pop that makes life feel brighter, queerer and considerably better dressed.

If “Motivation” has sent you into full Carly mode and honestly, how could it not?you can shop Carly Rae Jepson music and physical releases through Amazzon Consider it the soundtrack for your next chosen-family dance party.

Rating: 10/10 no notes, except perhaps Matt Antonucci’s phone number.

https://youtu.be/m2bgsLp943A?si=760YU4zoW7xs3VhZ

Rating: 10/10 no notes, except perhaps Matt Antonucci’s phone number.

https://www.instagram.com/mattantonucci_/
https://www.instagram.com/caiovieira_?igsh=cHd6MDNrcjN3N3l1
https://www.instagram.com/carlyraejepsen/

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