Before They Were Superstars, Zara & Sabrina Dropped a Collab Hit the World Slept On

The “WOW” Remix Proved Zara & Sabrina Were Making Superior Pop Before Anyone Noticed

In 2020, when the era’s biggest pop acts were coasting on forgettable, mid‑tier releases, two artists were out here quietly shaping the future of mainstream pop — Zara Larsson and Sabrina Carpenter. While the industry wasn’t paying attention, these two were crafting music that was sharper, smarter, and miles ahead of what was topping the charts. Both girls have always had a mind of their own and their own opinions — never afraid to stand apart from the pack.

Premiered on October 7th, 2020, the “WOW” Remix video is a time capsule of that truth. Zara, already a global pop force, and Sabrina, still in her pre‑explosion phase, collided for a remix that felt like a wink at the industry: the girls who really get it are right here.

The visual was directed by Emil Nava, one of pop’s most recognizable storytellers — the same creative mind behind Selena Gomez’s “Kill Em With Kindness”, a video known for its stark, high‑contrast minimalism and emotional clarity. Nava brings that same cinematic polish, glossy framing, and intimate tension to “WOW,” elevating the remix from a fun collaboration into a full‑blown pop moment.

The video also delivered something quietly groundbreaking for its time — the casting of a Central American Latin love interest as the emotional anchor of the story. It offered a different, refreshing lens on love lost, centering a face and presence rarely spotlighted in mainstream pop visuals of that era. And let’s be real: the visual tension of two white pop girls fighting for a tatted, street‑romance love interest gave the video an unexpected edge — a dynamic pop wasn’t showcasing back then.

And here’s the kicker: if this track and video dropped today, it would be a massive U.S. hit. The sound, the aesthetic, the casting, the energy — it all aligns perfectly with the current pop landscape, where Zara and Sabrina are finally getting the recognition they deserved years ago.

The track itself was a standout — a glossy, electric, hyper‑catchy pop banger that out‑performed most of what was dominating playlists at the time. Zara’s crystalline vocals and Sabrina’s effortless cool blended into a remix that felt bigger than the moment it was released in. It was the kind of collaboration that should’ve been treated like a cultural event, but instead lived as a hidden gem for the fans who were paying attention.

Watching it now, it’s almost surreal. Both artists have since risen into the upper tier of modern pop, but “WOW” shows they were already operating on that level years earlier. The video radiates confidence, charisma, and the kind of star power that can’t be manufactured — only revealed.

Two future icons. One remix. A reminder that the best pop music of the late 2010s and early 2020s wasn’t always the most celebrated — but it was absolutely being made.

So, if you missed it then here it is now — because it’s pop history everyone else overlooked. Stay in the know with INYIM Media.

Watch the “WOW” Remix That Should’ve Been a Massive Hit