Rufus Wainwright Becomes Anna Wintour for "Trouble in Paradise" Video

BY Allie GregoryPublished Nov 5, 2019

Rufus Wainwright released "Trouble in Paradise" — his first single from his upcoming album — late last month. Now he has shared the track's accompanying visuals, with some interesting character play.

In the brand new music video, Wainwright is seen morphing in and out of a new personality reminiscent of Vogue's legendary editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour. Complete with a blonde wig, massive sunglasses and fashionable garb, the whole thing is, naturally, shot in black and white.

According to a press release, "Trouble in Paradise" is about "the fashion world but also applies to the state of the planet." Wainwright himself stated that the music has "a sense of sophistication and an animalistic instinct... After the opera world and natural aging, I can now sing at the full power of my abilities, and this record really shows that off."

Though the forthcoming record is currently untitled and without a due date, it has been described as "a return to form and his most accessible album to date," as well as "the bookend" to Wainwright's self-titled 1998 debut. "Trouble in Paradise" is notably more pop-leaning than the artist's recent forays into opera and Shakespeare.

Last month, Wainwright signed to BMG for the new album, stating that "the record business certainly has changed and I have to say with BMG it has changed for the better."

Watch the video for "Trouble in Paradise" down below.

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