Pauline Adamek
Sabrina Carpenter is everywhere. The pop singer is currently at a career peak, dominating music charts, leading major tours, winning prestigious awards, and making bold cultural statements in fashion and media.
Her 2024 album, Short n’ Sweet, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with viral singles like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” topping charts worldwide. Espresso earned critical acclaim, winning Best Pop Solo Performance, while the album swept the 2025 Grammys with Best Pop Vocal Album, solidifying Carpenter’s rise as a mainstream pop star.
In June 2025 she dropped the new single “Manchild”, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles chart—her second chart-topper in both markets.
Sabrina Carpenter made her Saturday Night Live debut in May 2024 as the musical guest for the Season 49 finale (hosted by Jake Gyllenhaal). Carpenter delivered a sparkling rendition of her breakout hit Espresso on a sleek bar-themed set, dressed in a striking red mini dress. She followed it with a cleverly arranged medley of Feather and Nonsense, complete with signature cheeky lyric tweaks that nodded to her SNL milestone, showcasing both vocal control and a sharp sense of humor. Additionally, Carpenter appeared in a pre-taped Scooby‑Doo parody as Daphne opposite Gyllenhaal’s Fred, demonstrating some comedic timing.
On October 12, 2024, Carpenter’s cultural footprint on SNL expanded when her song Espresso became the punchline in the viral “Domingo Wedding” sketch. Though she didn’t appear on-screen, her influence was unmistakable. By February 2025, Carpenter returned for the SNL 50 anniversary special, not just as a pop star but as a full-fledged contributor to the show’s legacy. She shared the stage with Paul Simon in a poignant duet of Homeward Bound. But she also leaned into SNL’s comedic fabric again, taking on the role of “Sophie” in the “Domingo: Vow Renewal” sketch, where she joined in on genre-bending parodies of Defying Gravity and You Belong with Me—a high-camp nod to her crossover appeal.
Her final surprise appearance came on May 3, 2025, during Quinta Brunson’s monologue. Unexpectedly, Carpenter emerged for a duet celebrating short girls everywhere.
At the 2025 Grammys, Carpenter received six nominations and took home two major awards, marking her first-ever Grammy wins. Her standout live performances and emotional acceptance speeches further elevated her profile. She also won three Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in 2025—Favorite Female Breakthrough Artist, Best Song, and Favorite Album—highlighting her cross-generational appeal.
Her ongoing Short n’ Sweet Tour is her first arena tour, featuring 72 dates across Europe and North America through November 2025. Many shows have sold out fast, and fans are reacting strongly—sometimes negatively—to high ticket prices.
She also headlined Primavera Sound 2025 alongside Charli XCX and Chappell Roan, dubbed the festival’s “holy trinity” of pop, reinforcing her international visibility and cultural impact.
Sabrina Carpenter began her rise to fame in 2014, when she starred as Maya Hart, the rebellious best friend, on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World. But her transition into adult pop icon has been fueled by TikTok virality, fashion moments, and candid digital presence. Her persona, known as “Brinacore,” blends hyper-feminine aesthetics with tongue-in-cheek attitude and relatability.
A standout moment came at the 2025 Met Gala, where she wore a daring custom Louis Vuitton look with no pants, an ensemble designed by Pharrell that made headlines globally and sparked conversation about fashion, identity, and daring.
Her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, is set to drop on August 29, 2025. An early look at the openly sexist cover artwork of Man’s Best Friend generated controversy and significant media attention; many criticized it as appealing to the male gaze in a highly toxic and detrimental manner to women, while others saw it as a way to challenge misogynistic expectations of women’s sexual behavior. Later, Carpenter released an alternate direct-to-consumer cover, which she described as “approved by God” – whatever that means.
She’s also reportedly in talks for a key role in Mamma Mia 3, continuing the franchise’s legacy and combining her love for ABBA with a new acting opportunity—even earning approval from Amanda Seyfried to play her character’s daughter.
Sabrina Carpenter’s ascent is a success built on strong collaborations:
Creative collaborators: Jack Antonoff, Julian Bunetta, Amy Allen, Steph Jones, Julia Michaels, Ian Kirkpatrick and more.
Label leadership: Justin Eshak, Imran Majid, Jackie Winkler, and the broader Island/Republic marketing and A&R team.
Management & booking: Volara Management and CAA booking partners.
Brand & marketing strategy: Well-crafted digital presence, strategic partnerships, and her own artistic decisions driving release strategies.
All of these forces combine to support a performer who is shaping her path from inside the studio to global stardom.
