Sabrina Carpenter has become one of the most prominent pop stars of the mid-2020s, reaching new levels of popularity after the release of her 2024 album “Short n’ Sweet”. With chart-topping singles including “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” Carpenter has transitioned from her Disney Channel background to global recognition, winning multiple Grammy Awards and becoming one of 2024’s top-streamed artists.
Her commercial breakthrough came with “Short n’ Sweet”, which gained traction through massive streaming numbers and viral success. In 2024, Carpenter became the first solo performer to hold three songs in the Billboard Hot 100’s top five simultaneously. According to Luminate, her streaming numbers grew from 73 million in the first half of 2022 to 1.9 billion in the same period of 2025.
Carpenter’s 2022 project “Emails I Can’t Send” marked a turning point in her career, helping shift her image toward more personal and mature songwriting. Tours and performances, including her Coachella appearance and her role as an opener on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, introduced her to wider audiences.
Her rise has also sparked debate. Carpenter’s 2025 album “Man’s Best Friend” drew criticism for its cover art, which depicts her on all fours with a man’s hand gripping her hair. Some critics argued the photo glamorized violence or promoted submissive portrayals of women. Supporters said it represented satire of the male gaze or a statement of sexual empowerment.
“I think it’s very empowering, especially her album cover,” student B.B. Barron said. “A lot of people were like ‘wow she’s just being dragged around by a man,’ but she’s reclaiming her own sexuality. If she likes that, that’s her prerogative… Who are we to tell her what she can and can’t do with her body and her album cover?”
Her stage performances have added to the discussion. During the song “Juno,” Carpenter pantomimed a sexual position while performing lyrics described as suggestive.
“I think you could write an entire dissertation on what this represents in terms of where our culture is going, in terms of music and of the sexualization of performers who present their music,” said Dr. Dave Davies, a professor in the School of Media and Communications. “From a pure social media standpoint, it’s just good marketing. Like it or not, it’s worked for Sabrina Carpenter, but it’s certainly true that there are so many issues tied into this that scholars will probably be parsing for years and years.”
Carpenter has also used her platform for political expression. At the 2025 MTV Awards, she performed her new song “Tears” alongside dancers in drag holding signs advocating for transgender lives.
“I’m very happy that she stands with those communities because I do too,” Barron said. “And it feels nice to have someone who is as big and famous as Sabrina Carpenter to have the same opinions as me.”
At age 26, Carpenter continues to balance her growing music career with cultural and political discussions that surround her work.
