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Sabrina Carpenter has clapped back at critics over the scrutiny she constantly receives for expressing her sexuality, arguing that it is her detractors who are "obsessed" with sex. In a revealing Rolling Stone interview, the singer addressed the backlash surrounding her performances, lyrics, and provocative album artwork, stating bluntly: "Clearly you love sex. You're obsessed with it."
The backlash started with her NSFW ad-libs to the 2022 hit "Nonsense" and intensified after the release of her 2024 album Short n' Sweet. The track "Bed Chem" in particular drew attention for lyrics like, "I bet we'd have really good bed chem," and the infamous, "Come right on me, I mean camaraderie." Sabrina leaned into the themes during her tour, performing the track atop a heart-shaped bed and alluding to filming a sex tape with a male dancer.
Social media erupted again after Sabrina performed the "Juno" sex position during her show, specifically in Paris where she demonstrated the "Eiffel Tower" with two male dancers — a moment that quickly went viral. While some condemned the act as "inherently degrading," others pushed back against the narrative that consensual expressions of sexuality are harmful to women.
Most recently, Sabrina faced renewed criticism over the artwork for her upcoming album Man's Best Friend, set for release in August. The image shows her kneeling before a suited figure holding her hair, sparking accusations of anti-feminism and objectification. In response, many defended her, suggesting the imagery is a pointed commentary on how society views and treats women — especially in the context of the album's lead single, "Manchild," a critique of male behavior. Fans also suggested that the album title, referencing dogs, may be a play on how women are derogatorily called "bitches."
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Sabrina challenged the double standards: "They're like: 'All she does is sing about this.' But those are the songs that you've made popular." She added, "There's so many more moments than the 'Juno' positions, but those are the ones you post every night and comment on. I can't control that."
Reflecting more broadly, she said, "I truly feel like I've never lived in a time where women have been picked apart more... I'm talking about every female artist that is making art right now."
