Sabrina Carpenter studied and earned a master’s degree at the pop star school of Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. The singer’s navigation of her breakout moment this year has put those lessons to good use. It shows in the autonomy present across her equally heartbroken and horny album Short n’ Sweet, but also in her handling of the criticism that has come with her unabashed embrace of her sexuality. Aguilera and Spears weathered similar storms, though that hasn’t spared her from receiving the same backlash.
“I definitely get that as well,” Carpenter told TIME in a recent interview. “Someone told me this, whenever I would get upset or feel like I’m the only one getting criticized for something other people are able to do seemingly so freely: I’m the one that’s seeing all the negative shit about myself. My friends don’t see that.”
Last week, Carpenter embarked on the Short n’ Sweet world tour. The show blends her latest release with standout songs from earlier in her catalogue. Among them appears “Nonsense,” the pop hit that she used to tweak on tour to include a city-specific, winking innuendo at the very end. She switched it up for this tour, this time changing up the suggestive position she assumes during the album highlight “Juno,” asking: “Have you ever tried… this one?” The cherry on top is the giant “horny” graphic that flashes in bright pink during the song.
“You’ll still get the occasional mother that has a strong opinion on how you should be dressing. And to that I just say, don’t come to the show and that’s OK,” Carpenter said. “It’s unfortunate that it’s ever been something to criticize, because truthfully, the scariest thing in the world is getting up on a stage in front of that many people and having to perform as if it’s nothing. If the one thing that helps you do that is the way you feel comfortable dressing, then that’s what you’ve got to do.”
The singer also responded to fans who were scandalized to learn that her family witnessed her flaunting her sexuality while on stage at Madison Square Garden this past weekend. “My fans online are like, I can’t believe she’s bending over in front of her grandparents!” Carpenter said. “I’m like, girl, they are not paying attention to that. They’re just like, I can’t believe all these people are here.”
Carpenter’s TIME profile arrived with news of her placement on the TIME100 Next 2024 list, which spotlights a number of rising figures across entertainment. Her tribute was penned by none other than Aguilera, who she recently joined for a revamped 25th anniversary version of “What A Girl Wants.”
“She may claim to be short and sweet, but never underestimate the mighty power behind Sabrina Carpenter’s talent,” the pop veteran wrote. “It’s the reason she has catapulted to her earned spot as one of today’s leading pop artists. She proves great things come in small packages. As a fellow 5-ft. female with a similar working-adolescent Disney history, I firsthand recognize and respect what it takes to maintain clarity while delivering within the demands of this business.”
She added: “While she is at the tender age of 25, I realize our symbolic, full-circle connection, as my own debut album turns 25 this same year, which brings me a sense of not only celebration but also reflection. As exciting generations of pop princesses continue to emerge, I feel adoration and protectiveness, knowing the journey at hand and ahead.”
Aguilera also spotlighted Carpenter’s cheeky wit as being an asset to her presence as a performer, singer, and songwriter — not something to be criticized. “I have all the belief and assurance that, in true Sabrina Carpenter fashion, she will conquer her future goals with grace, a little sweetness, the ability to laugh and enjoy the ride with confidence … and a playful pun or two,” she concluded.
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