"Versace on the Floor" male gaze analysis

"VERSACE ON THE FLOOR" - BRUNO MARS

The "Versace on the floor" video opens with Bruno Mars and Zendaya both entering into separate rooms next to one another. As Zendaya walks in her room, it becomes obvious that she is wearing a very short dress which clearly shows off her behind whereas Bruno Mars is fully clothed with a shirt and trousers. Upon entering his room, Bruno walks straight to his piano to start playing and singing the song, still completely clothed with no specific angles showing off any sexualised images. Unlike, Zendaya who is shown in a plunge neck dress clearly showing parts of her dress. Even though the lyrics do match the video, this imagery still isn't necessary. As the song 

continues Zendaya bites her lip and makes sexual facial expressions whilst the camera continues to focus on her breast are multiple times whilst Bruno sings normally. At 2:39 Bruno sings "I'll unzip the back and watch it fall", whilst mimicking unzipping a dress. Whilst this is happening, the zip of Zandaya's dress unzips as if Bruno himself is doing the action. This shows that Zendaya is not in control but is an object of the video. This idea continues as there is a distinct zoom in on Zendaya's bottom as she walks towards the bed. This has no relevance to the 

song and is simply just to attract the audience. Zendaya then continues to walk towards the bed before sitting on the edge of the bed in the provocative way as shown in the picture. The breasts are clearly shown as the actress leans back to emphasise them, the legs are shown in an enticing way to attract the attention from the audience sexually. This once again is not necessary for the video as there is no true direct link between the lyrics and the positioning of Zendaya's body. There has still been no breaking of the 4th wall in this video. Bruno then continues to sit at his piano singing as Zendaya joins in making provocative faces whilst she sings along. In addition to this, the camera often shifts focus onto a prt of Zendaya's body instead of her face. Even though the lyrics of the song do mean that some sexual imagery is suggested, the amount that is in the video, is unnecessary. Zendaya then continues to dance around feeling parts of her body to make it sexual and provocative whilst Bruno still just stands/sits at his piano singing. Throughout this dance section, Zendaya often makes actions as though she is calling someone over to her. This maybe shows that 

she is helpless and needs assistance or to show she is in control of her needs and wants, it is unclear at this point as to which one of these it is. As the lyrics "it's warming up" start, Zendaya continues to make the provocative faces whilst the camera focuses on her and her body. Zendaya's eyeline for this part is almost breaking the 4th wall but slightly doesn't as it isn't straight to the audience. At 4:50 the actress then dramatically falls on the bed (as shown at the top of the page) exposing her plunge neckline and short dress whilst once again, Bruno stands at his piano singing. Whilst on the bed, Zendaya brushes her hands up her body whilst singing the lyrics once again unnecessarily sexualising the image. At 5:03, the camera zooms on Zendaya's 

 face as she bites her lip, the same is done at 5:11 as she smiles. Then at 5:13, the camera focuses on the Zendaya's feet as her dress drops to the floor and she walks off. This is completely sexualised as the audience is now led to believe that she has only got underwear on, or less. Bruno is then shown still at his piano finishing his song, before the screen goes black and there is a knock at the door. The audience are most likely supposed to conclude that the knock is barely clothed Zendaya ready for some sort of sexual activity. Throughout this video it is obvious that the audience has very little power as neither person interacts much with them. In addition to this, Bruno Mars is obviously the power dominance in the video as he basically controls Zendaya's actions via his voice and lyrics.