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Doja Cat poses in front of a decorative wall made of clear ice blocks that features the YouTube logo and Doja Cat’s name (or logo) carved into it. Red roses are frozen inside the ice blocks, arranged in a grid. She is wearing a striking black and white ze

Creator and Artist Stories

Inside Doja Cat's mezmerizing NYC album celebration and music video premiere

By The YouTube Team

The one-night-only event brought the global superstar’s new ‘Vie’ album to life with an immersive experience and a surprise music video premiere for “Stranger."

Sep 30, 2025 [[read-time]] minute read

Last night, New York City provided the perfect backdrop for an album celebration and surprise music video premiere that blurred the line between digital art and reality. Music fans gathered at Mercer Labs for a unique experience of Doja Cat’s brand new album Vie and were treated to the world premiere of the "Stranger” music video. Ensuring fans everywhere could be part of the moment, the video simultaneously live streamed to millions on Doja Cat’s YouTube channel.

The Visual Interpretation of “Stranger”

Shot in LA and directed by the legendary Dave Meyers (and produced by Nathan Scherrer, Tara Sheree, and Collin Druz), the new music video for "Stranger" is a compelling visual representation of the song's theme of defiant, unconventional love.

This cinematic journey sees Doja Cat, a bride on the run, pursued across a remote landscape by a small plane, a visual thrill ride that personifies the societal pressures the song rejects.

This stunning visual narrative serves as the perfect complement to the song, turning a heartfelt ballad into an epic visual statement about freedom, commitment, and carving out a unique identity.

An immersive journey into the world of Vie

In person, the collaboration between Doja Cat and YouTube at Mercer Labs was designed to be more than just a screening—it was an immersive, multisensory experience.

Held at the digital art and cultural space in New York City, guests journeyed through curated environments and interactive installations. Each exhibit reflected the bold, creative vision of Vie, allowing attendees to experience cutting-edge interpretations of Doja Cat’s artistry, in real life.

It was a hypnotic night for a hypnotic artist who continues to blend music and storytelling in innovative ways. Immerse yourself in Vie out now!

A red neon sign that reads "Doja Cat" hangs above a doorway where a woman in a striped top and blue leggings is entering a crowded, dark room. File a bug
Doja Cat (with pink hair, wearing a black and white zebra-print outfit, blue tights, and silver platform heels) is DJing and interacting with a large, energetic crowd in a nightclub or event space. She is reaching out with her right hand toward the excited attendees, who have their hands raised, many holding up cell phones to record. The walls of the venue are covered in a large-scale leopard print pattern that is dramatically lit with warm, orange-toned lighting. In the foreground, multiple cameramen are recording the scene, capturing both Doja Cat and the audience. The DJ booth includes professional audio and mixing equipment.
A large crowd of people, many holding their phones high to record, stands in a dark venue looking toward a central stage area. A few individuals are seated or standing on the stage, including one with bright pink hair (likely Doja Cat) and one wearing a bright red top. Behind the stage is a massive, immersive LED screen or projection displaying a dynamic visual of a light tunnel or starburst pattern. This pattern consists of numerous red, blue, and white dots that radiate outward from a central, bright white point, creating a high-energy, futuristic visual effect for the event.
A woman with short, blonde hair, wearing a black and white striped corset with a peplum, and bright blue leggings, stands in front of the youtube logo
The musician Doja Cat is holding red flowers and getting into a red car

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