Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Man’s Best Friend’ Album Cover Ignites Controversy Ahead of Release
Sabrina Carpenter just lit up the internet again. The 26-year-old singer dropped details about her upcoming album Man’s Best Friend on June 11, and while many fans cheered, others were left with raised eyebrows. The album is set to release on August 29, 2025, and judging by reactions, it’s already shaking things up.
Her announcement post included the album title, release date, and a photo that’s now gone viral. The image shows Carpenter dressed in a black dress and heels, posed on all fours like a dog. Someone off-camera is seen pulling her hair. The concept was clearly meant to be edgy, but it sparked a wave of mixed reactions online.
The backlash kicks in
Some fans immediately criticized the artwork. The conversation quickly turned from music to cultural sensitivity and women’s rights. One Instagram user, @taylorrram, voiced concern over the current political climate in the U.S., writing, “Love (you) Sabrina but in this political climate with Trump as president and women’s control over their bodies being taken away… this is kind (of) insensitive.”
Others felt the cover was regressive. “This just set us back about 5 decades,” wrote @uhhhlexa_, while another user chimed in, “Girls, get up!” Many questioned the message behind the image and how it aligns with today’s ongoing conversations around feminism and autonomy.
But fans still show love
Despite the backlash, a large part of Sabrina’s fanbase celebrated her boldness. “SUMMER OF SABRINA FOR A SECOND YEAR IN A ROW,” one fan shouted on Instagram. Others said they were excited for the new music and praised her for continuing to push boundaries.
One X user @wickednewshub offered a different perspective. “For those of you who may lack critical thinking skills, the cover is clearly satirical with a deeper meaning, portraying how the public views her, believing she is just for the male gaze,” they wrote.
A deeper conversation about sex and power
Sabrina’s image and lyrics have often walked the line between playfulness and controversy. Her last album Short n’ Sweet was filled with cheeky, sex-positive lyrics. In the song “Juno,” she sings about wanting to get pregnant because she’s obsessed with her partner, asking: “Wanna try out some freaky positions?”
That same song became a viral moment during her tour. Performing in a glittery mini skirt, she acted out a sex position on stage while singing “Have you ever tried this one?” This again sparked debate. Was it empowering, or just another performance aimed at male attention?
Sexuality in pop culture is nothing new, but the lines get blurry fast. Leora Tanenbaum, author of Sexy Selfie Nation, weighed in on this kind of public reaction. “People ask if she’s trying to appeal to the male gaze — appearing hot to cater to hetero men’s sexual desires — or to the female gaze — looking sexy on her own terms,” she explained.
Pop stardom comes with scrutiny
Sabrina Carpenter didn’t rise overnight. But her journey from Disney Channel star to full-blown pop icon has come with a shift in audience and tone. And every step deeper into bold, adult territory seems to stir conversation. Fans who once saw her as a child star are watching her express her identity in new, unapologetic ways.
Tanenbaum added, “Carpenter’s lyrics are sexually explicit and may not be appropriate for the Disney audience of children she used to cater to, but her sexual frankness is shocking only if you believe that women who are open about sexuality are sluts.”
Whether people love it or hate it, Carpenter is clearly making a statement. And judging by the reactions, Man’s Best Friend will be one of the most talked-about albums of the year.
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