Sabrina Carpenter responds to backlash over provocative album cover and music

As she gears up for the release of her highly anticipated album “Man's Best Friend" on August 29, 2025, Sabrina Carpenter has found herself at the centre of controversy, facing criticism for her image and musical direction.

The Grammy-winning artist made headlines when she unveiled the cover art for her upcoming album, which depicts her on her hands and knees while an anonymous male figure in a suit holds her by the hair.

The provocative visual has sparked significant backlash, further intensifying the ongoing debate about the sexual nature of her art.

In recent remarks, Carpenter pushed back against the criticisms, asserting that there’s much more to her artistry than what critics tend to focus on. 

“It’s always so funny to me when people complain,” she shared in an interview with Rolling Stone. 

“They’re like, ‘All she does is sing about this.’ But those are the songs that you’ve made popular. Clearly, you love sex. You’re obsessed with it. It’s in my show.”

The controversy surrounds not just her album’s cover but also her broader on-stage presence and music. 

Over the years, Carpenter's performances have pushed the boundaries of societal norms and generated vast discourse, often splitting opinions among fans and critics alike. 

Her latest single, “Manchild”, which premiered on June 5, features sharp lyrics about immaturity contrasted with a catchy pop-country melody. 

Following speculation over whether the track is aimed at her ex-boyfriend, Barry Keoghan, Carpenter reservedly stated, “It was about Your Dad,” keeping her audience guessing.

But while the explicit nature of her album cover garners attention, Carpenter is keen to highlight the broader spectrum of her artistry. 

Aware of how her portrayal is often sensationalised, she emphasised that audiences miss out on the significant aspects of her art, which extend beyond the sensationalised moments captured on social media.

“There’s so many more moments than the ‘Juno’ positions, but those are the ones you post every night and comment on,” she lamented.

Carpenter also voiced deeper concerns about the critical lens focussed on female artists, suggesting that women are subject to intense scrutiny, often being “picked apart” for their choices. 

“It’s something that keeps coming back. We just have to grow thicker skin, but they don’t have to learn how to shut their mouths,” she remarked, shedding light on the gender biases within the music industry. 

Despite the controversy, the creative process behind the album was reportedly liberating for Carpenter.

She likened the making of “Man’s Best Friend" to “riding a bike”, describing it as fluid compared to her previous projects.

This album, her seventh studio effort, follows the remarkable success of her 2024 hit album “Short n' Sweet”, which topped the Billboard 200 chart and included fan favourites such as “Espresso” and “Taste”.