By Matija Šerić

In recent weeks, global media outlets have dedicated a significant amount of attention to attacking superstar Sabrina Carpenter for alleged hypersexualization and misogyny. This has occurred despite the fact that she is a skyrocketing musical artist, arguably the busiest active pop singer right now, with several major projects: the ongoing Short n’ Sweet tour, the holiday film A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter, and the upcoming album Man’s Best Friend.

Although the media is saturated with gossip and risqué photos of (quasi-)celebrities, that hasn’t stopped them from going after Carpenter for what they consider inappropriate behavior.

Tour Controversies

Critics have taken issue with the sexy outfits Carpenter wears during her current tour. But this is nothing new—many other female artists wear similarly revealing stage costumes, including Selena Gomez, Dua Lipa, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Taylor Swift. The criticism is, therefore, unfounded. Despite showing skin, Sabrina is never actually nude on stage.

The most controversial part of each concert is the performance of her song “Juno.” During the lyric “have you ever tried this one?”, she playfully mimics various sex positions. Each performance features a new pose, with fans eagerly anticipating what’s next. Some of the most recognizable ones include doggie, (reverse) cowgirl, missionary, the Eiffel Tower, and the London Bridge. The crowd erupts with excitement during “Juno”—the use of sexual innuendo has proven to be a powerful tool for electrifying audiences.

There’s nothing inappropriate about the performance itself. It’s important to note that the sexualized choreography is not forced or out of place—it fits the song, which is explicitly about sex. A sensual performance is entirely expected when the lyrics demand it.

Outside of the Short n’ Sweet tour, Carpenter faced a wave of criticism from British audiences after her performance at the Brit Awards in March. Interestingly, she didn’t even perform “Juno” that night. She sang “Espresso” and “Bed Chem” in sexy outfits, which apparently offended some viewers—more than 800 formal complaints were filed.

A Performer for Adults, Not Children

Some critics argue that her concerts attract a large number of underage fans and therefore her behavior is inappropriate. While it’s true that Sabrina gained early fame as a Disney Channel star in Girl Meets World, she is now a 26-year-old woman and no longer a child actress. Her music is not made for children anymore—those are the facts. As an adult singer-songwriter, she has every right to wear sexy outfits and write provocative lyrics without shame or guilt.

It’s ultimately up to parents to decide whether they will allow their underage daughters to attend Sabrina’s shows. While her concerts do have sexual undertones, there is nothing truly outrageous or explicit happening on stage.

Other artists perform far more explicit content. Female performers like Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, and Doja Cat, and male artists like Drake, Chris Brown, and The Weeknd, are known for overtly sexual performances. Yet none of them seem to attract the same level of outrage as Sabrina.

It’s clear that not everyone is held to the same standard. Perhaps some still see her as a Disney star, or perhaps it’s simply jealousy. Whatever the reason, the backlash against Carpenter reeks of a double standard—and she deserves better.

All Juno Positions on Sabrina’s Short n’ Sweet Tour

The “Controversial” Album Cover

The controversy continued in June with the unveiling of the cover art for Sabrina Carpenter’s upcoming album Man’s Best Friend, set to be released on August 29. Just days earlier, on June 5, she dropped the single “Manchild,” which critiques immature male behavior—yet only six days later, she released an album cover that seemed to send an entirely different message.

The image shows the singer dressed in a black dress and high heels, kneeling on the ground in a dog-like position while an unidentified man in a black suit pulls her hair. The scene is an unmistakable allusion to oral sex. Some interpreted it as degrading to women, even misogynistic, claiming it promotes violence against women. Others saw it as clever satire—and they’re right.

Sabrina is known for her humor, both in her lyrics and in public appearances, and this album cover is no exception. It’s a tongue-in-cheek visual that plays into the album’s provocative themes with wit and boldness.

A Bold Rolling Stone Photoshoot

As if the album cover weren’t enough, Sabrina turned up the heat again. On June 12, just a week later, she graced the cover of Rolling Stone magazine’s July-August issue in a jaw-dropping, Playboy-style look. She wore only white lace thigh-high stockings, with her long hair strategically covering the rest of her body.

Interestingly, the same Rolling Stone cover also featured Democratic socialist icon Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (in a separate interview), suggesting that Sabrina’s appearance was not only tolerated but effectively endorsed by liberal America. The cover itself wasn’t particularly shocking—at least not for Sabrina’s brand—even if it may have been a first for Rolling Stone.

Trolling the Critics

As a witty response to offended critics, on June 25, Carpenter released an alternate album cover as part of the pre-order campaign, with the caption that it was “God-approved.” This version features her elegantly dressed in an evening gown, holding hands with a man in a tuxedo at a formal event, looking off-camera. It’s a cheeky and creative clapback aimed at uptight detractors.

Brilliant Brand Marketing

It’s clear that these are intentional and well-calculated provocations meant to generate buzz—and they’re working. The more the media talks about Sabrina, the more people learn about her, expanding her fanbase (“Carpenters”) and driving attention to her music.

There’s no doubt that Man’s Best Friend is poised to be one of the biggest pop albums of the year—both in terms of sales and quality. With hitmaker Jack Antonoff as executive producer, expectations are sky-high. Sabrina hasn’t lost her way—on the contrary, she knows exactly what she’s doing.

Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso/Bed Chem (Live at The BRIT Awards 2025)

A Rising, Original Pop Diva

As one of today’s most popular global pop stars, every move Sabrina makes is carefully thought out several steps in advance. She leans into her sex appeal, and it’s proving to be a winning formula. Her artistry—marked by clever lyrics, strong vocals, and impeccable choreography—is elevated by her charisma and self-confidence. Her ability to blend emotion and performance makes her one of the most original pop icons of her generation.

Double Standards in the Spotlight

What’s particularly telling is how feminist and women’s rights groups never criticize artists who openly promote woke values—like Lady Gaga or Chappell Roan—even if their style is unconventional or their performances are provocative, eccentric, or even downright cringe. On the contrary, such artists are often celebrated as feminist heroes.

Yet when a singer like Sabrina Carpenter embraces femininity through traditional aesthetics and unapologetic sex appeal, she’s suddenly seen as a bad influence on young girls. Why the double standard?

In the world of showbiz, everything should be allowed—within reason. Sabrina isn’t crossing any red lines, and she’s not going to. Instead of slapping her with misguided labels, we should be applauding her talent and creative vision.