Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is unapologetically owning her image in the face of criticism, using her latest Rolling Stone cover to address claims that she’s “oversexualizing” her performances and music.
In a bold, forest-inspired photoshoot by renowned photographer David LaChapelle, Carpenter appears nude, wearing only white lace stockings — a visual statement of confidence that coincides with the upcoming release of her new album Man’s Best Friend, set to drop on August 29.
The 26-year-old singer, celebrated for her Grammy-winning Short n’ Sweet era and hits like Bed Chem, is no stranger to public scrutiny. In the Rolling Stone interview, she speaks candidly about the double standards women face in the industry.
“It’s always so funny to me when people complain… but those are the songs that you’ve made popular. Clearly you love sex. You’re obsessed with it,” she says, referencing viral concert moments and explicit lyrics from songs like Juno.
She pushes back against the narrative that her content is meant to cater to the male gaze, especially after revealing the Man’s Best Friend cover art — a provocative image of her on her knees with a man holding her hair. Some fans questioned the visual direction, calling it contradictory to her feminist message.
Others defended her artistic choices, viewing them as intentional provocations designed to challenge outdated norms. “My ‘woke’ opinion but everyone’s reaction to this is just more purity bs that was forced onto women hundreds of years ago…” one supporter commented online.
Carpenter continues to highlight the broader issue of how women are treated in the spotlight. “I truly feel like I’ve never lived in a time where women have been picked apart more, and scrutinized in every capacity,” she told Rolling Stone.
She also took aim at online hate culture in her exclusive vinyl track Needless to Say, criticizing the trend of nitpicking celebrity photos. “We just have to grow thicker skin, but they don’t have to learn how to shut their mouths,” she remarked.
When asked if she’s worried about how Man’s Best Friend will be received, Carpenter made her stance clear: “I can not give a f*** about it, because I’m just so excited.”
With her fearless commentary and self-aware artistry, Carpenter is challenging public perception and reclaiming her space in pop culture — on her own terms.