Sabrina Carpenter has faced major backlash after simulating an X-rated act in front of her concert audience.
Carpenter sparked controversy following a performance at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles, where her actions on stage during her Short n’ Sweet tour left many divided.
Known for pushing boundaries with her live shows, the 25-year-old singer and actress has faced a flood of criticism on social media, with some accusing her of going too far this time.
The uproar began after videos surfaced online showing Carpenter engaging in provocative choreography during her performance of the song ‘Juno.’
While her concerts are known for their playful and risqué elements, this particular act prompted some fans and parents to voice concerns about the appropriateness of her stage presence, especially given her background as a Disney Channel star.
One social media user wrote: “Sabrina is one step away from starting an OFs at this point,” following the performance.
While another questioned her artistic choices, asking: “Can she stop s*xualizing herself for 1 minute? LITERAL children are watching this, not just at the concert but also as it keeps appearing on my niece’s YouTube.”
The backlash also reignited discussions about Carpenter’s shift from a teen idol to a mature artist.
One fan defended her, saying: “She’s not an artist for kids anymore.”
A further commenter added that critics should not expect her performances to cater to younger audiences.
Another supporter noted: “She’s a grown woman, and people have the choice not to attend her shows.”
Carpenter, who is nominated for six Grammy Awards this year, has consistently stood by her artistic choices.
In a previous interview with Time magazine, she addressed criticism of her costumes and choreography, stating: “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.”
She emphasized the importance of feeling confident on stage, adding: “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 ‘Emails I Can’t Send’ singer has long been open about her exploration of s*xuality in her music and performances.
Speaking to Cosmopolitan about her suggestive ad-libbed outros in her song ‘Nonsense,’ she shared: “I feel like I’ve learned a lot more about sexuality through writing those than people think.
“I think people think I’m just obnoxiously h*rny, when in reality, writing them comes from the ability to not be fearful of your s*xuality.”
While many fans appreciate Carpenter’s honesty and boldness, others expressed concerns about her evolving stage persona.
Some social media users called her latest choreography distasteful and vulgar, suggesting she should consider age restrictions for her concerts.
One person tweeted: “If she wants to act like a ‘**rn actress,’ she should restrict her concerts to a certain age group.”
Carpenter’s fans, however, have pushed back against the criticism, pointing out that her shows are geared toward a more mature audience.
They argued that parents uncomfortable with her performances should avoid bringing their children.
The most controversial moment during her Los Angeles performance came when Carpenter simulated an explicit act using her microphone.
During her performance of ‘Juno, she knelt on stage and acted out the provocative move, which has been described as mimicking oral s*x.
The gesture prompted immediate backlash online, with critics calling it inappropriate, particularly for younger audience members who might have been in attendance or seen the clips circulating on social media.Despite the polarized responses, Carpenter remains steadfast in her artistic expression.
She has previously defended her approach, explaining: “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.”
