Wyatt Frame, played by Alan Cumming, is a record executive at MegaRecords, a label run by the devious Fiona, portrayed by Parker Posey. The label has a dubious secret: they use a clever partnership with the U.S. government to manipulate teenagers into buying records through subliminal messages embedded in their music. These messages shift weekly, cleverly encapsulated in phrases like "[Blank] is the new [blank]", claiming that “Orange is the new pink!” or similar trendy sayings. The government's true goal? To stimulate the economy with the "wads of cash" that teens make from their meager jobs like babysitting.
When a member of Wyatt's mega-successful boy band Du Jour uncovers the truth about these subliminal messages during a flight, he innocently confronts Wyatt—only for Wyatt to bail out of the scandalous situation, parachuting away just before the plane crashes. He lands near the town of Riverdale, where he is soon desperate for a new band to fill the void left by Du Jour. That’s when he encounters Josie, played by Rachael Leigh Cook, Melody, played by Tara Reid, and Valerie, portrayed by Rosario Dawson—who are struggling to get by as The Pussycats. Seizing the lucrative opportunity, Wyatt quickly flies them to Hollywood, rebranding them as Josie and the Pussycats.
Initially, the band skyrockets to fame, but soon cracks begin to show. Valerie starts feeling sidelined as the focus shifts towards Josie, while Melody wonderfully oblivious to the dynamics, grows increasingly suspicious of the shady dealings orchestrated by Fiona and Wyatt. The tension escalates when Valerie and Melody face a deadly threat while appearing on Total Request Live without Josie. Meanwhile, Josie falls prey to brainwashing through subliminal messages in a new demo, enticing her to pursue a solo career.
After surviving an attempted assassination, Valerie and Melody confront Josie, who is now fixated on her solo ambitions. Following a heated argument, Josie realizes that their rift is a product of the subliminal influences. She rushes to investigate the CD she received and uncovers the truth—only to be caught by Fiona in the act.
In a dramatic turn, MegaRecords plans an enormous pay-per-view concert, intending to unleash their most potent subliminal manipulation yet during Josie's performance. They threaten the safety of Melody and Valerie to ensure compliance. However, the injured members of Du Jour, presumed dead, arrive just in time to aid the Pussycats in this harrowing confrontation. During the chaos, Josie is able to destroy the machine dispensing the subliminal messages, revealing that Fiona's carefully constructed facade is teetering on the brink. Wyatt reveals their past connection—he was known as “White-Ass Wally” back in high school, and Fiona's own insecurities stem from her childhood lisp. Their immediate connection leads to unexpected romance.
Ultimately, they are apprehended for their antics, while the government abandons the subliminal program in favor of exploiting films instead. In a triumphant finale, Josie, Valerie, and Melody take the stage for their long-awaited concert, allowing the audience to judge their authentic talent for the first time without manipulative tactics. The crowd erupts with support as the story reaches its exhilarating conclusion.
