In light of several viral moments and a broader conversation among fans, it’s time to re-evaluate the controversy surrounding Sabrina Carpenter stage performances. Carpenter has been on a steady climb to the top for years, but the 2024 release of her sixth album — notably the hit singles “Taste,” “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” — has officially solidified her as a gargantuan presence in pop. . Naturally, listeners are eager to see her on the show, but not all contestants are happy.
Sabrina Carpenter has been criticized by critics who believe her performances are too sexually explicit, especially during her appearances in “Juno.” Online fan recordings of these performances continued to circulate on social media, inspiring outrage from the public who think Carpenter simulating sexual acts on stage is going too far.
On the contrary, anyone who has actually heard her music will know that Sabrina Carpenter’s performances are on-brand more than anything else. It’s hard to say she went “too far” when the performances simply reflect the music.
The Reaction to Sabrina Carpenter’s Live Shows, Explained
Why are people so upset with the “Taste” singer?
Sabrina Carpenter is currently in the middle of her Short ‘n’ Sweet Tour, which kicked off in Ohio in September and, with 47 shows, will run through March for a finale in Italy. At each of these shows, Sabrina Carpenter’s setlist includes the album’s tenth track, “Juno”, a song about being so in love with a partner that you want to have their childala the film of the same name starring Elliot Page. As it is one of the most popular songs on the album, there is a lot of pomp and circumstance in the performance.
The performance typically begins with Carpenter calling over an audience member, usually a celebrity – past examples include Millie Bobbi Brown and Rachel Sennott – and handing them a pair of pink handcuffs – as a reference to a “Juno” lyric – attempting to arrest them. them because they are very hot. They are invited to the prison in a “fun way”. Afterwards, the song actually begins, and the controversy resumes whenever Sabrina Carpenter utters the lyrics, “Have you tried this?” The moment she says this is when she starts imitating a sexually provocative pose or position.
Inevitably, videos of Carpenter singing the song were captured at the center of a moral panic. Carpenter’s demographic is broad, and critics focus on the younger end of the spectrum and how sexually suggestive performances are inappropriate, particularly in light of his previous work at Disney Channel:
Sabrina Carpenter’s Backlash Completely Ignores All of Her Songs
Have those who criticized her actually listened to her music?
Much of the backlash comes from parents who take their kids to shows, but in all honesty, bringing your kids to a Sabrina Carpenter show was the first and only mistake here. Any critic who has heard her music should know that Sabrina Carpenter is not for children. Yes, the Girl meets the world star has her roots in being a Disney star, but it’s been years since she acted or did anything aimed at children. Carpenter is a 25 year old adult and as such has every right to offer her music to other adults.
By proxy, virtually every song she sings and writes is about sex. There’s nothing wrong with that. Parents, she’s not really talking about Nintendo when she sings about moving “up, down, left, right, oh” in “Espresso.” These songs are not subtle. She couldn’t be clearer about what she’s talking about, so parents should know that these shows aren’t for kids. Sabrina Carpenter is one of the most refreshing voices in music, as her songs cater to the female gaze, but most importantly, they are for adults. Just put the kids to bed and leave Sabrina Carpenter and its adult audience has fun.