Sabrina Carpenter’s rise as a pop star has been accompanied by a carefully curated blend of artistic talent, sharp wit, and eye-catching aesthetics. But behind the catchy songs and viral performances—such as “Manchild” and “Juno”—lies a broader aspect that doesn’t get talked about: how much of her self-sexualization is manufactured by an industry that profits from the “perfect” women’s bodies?
Sabrina’s image fits neatly into the pop industry’s long-standing formula: female success is tied to how well an artist can sell themselves. Her performances, outfits, and choreography highlight a very specific kind of body: small, waistless, and conventionally attractive. While she often frames her sexual expression as self-confidence, one cannot ignore pop culture’s demand for women to objectify themselves. This supports the growing concept of the male gaze, “a way of portraying and looking at women that empowers men while sexualizing and diminishing women,” according to Verywell Mind. Why are we reinforcing this?
In addition, Sabrina Carpenter’s unamusing humor has become part of her identity, especially in her recent Saturday Night Live appearance. In one of the bits, “Sabrina Carpenter Monologue – SNL,” she says “everyone thinks of me as this, like, horndog pop star, but there’s really so much more to me.” After making a few (weird) jokes, she moves on to talk about how she loves interacting with the audience. After asking someone in the crowd for his name, she goes on to say, “Will. What a sexy, unusual name, Will.” These jokes sure are starting to sound repetitive. They all rely on the same premise of sexual appeal. The only point that she gets across is that she knows how to talk in a really low, and some would say, seductive voice. While in some cases it is meant to be ironic, the repetition shows that she has no personality and she’s stuck recycling the same joke that the audience already expects.
Furthermore, even though Sabrina Carpenter’s shows and lyrics are targeted toward adults, her music itself has a bigger impact on younger kids. Many of her fans grew up watching her on Disney Channel and continue to see her as a role model despite the large change her image has undergone. Her lyrics, as catchy as they can be, are not at all suitable for children and regardless of her intended message, make young fans think that “confidence” comes from sexual appeal.
In essence, Sabrina Carpenter’s rise to fame through her career choices raises a difficult question: is she degrading girl’s opinions on self-sexualization and leading them down a negative path?