Have you ever tried owning your power? Sabrina Carpenter has, and she’s making sure the world knows it.
In an industry that often dictates how women should behave, Carpenter flips the script and embraces confidence and sexuality without apology. And if you haven’t tried that yet, maybe it’s time.
When Carpenter took the stage at the 2025 BRIT Awards, she didn’t just perform, she made a statement. Channeling a Geri Halliwell moment, reminiscent of the iconic Union Jack mini dress that became a defining symbol of British fashion in the late 90s.
Carpenter delivered a confident performance that sparked nearly 1,000 Ofcom complaints from outraged viewers. Her response was the same cool, unapologetic attitude she’s always had: “I now know what watershed is!!!!”
This wasn’t the first time Carpenter’s performances have sparked controversy. Throughout her “Short n’ Sweet“ Tour, she incorporated playful choreography that blurred the lines between flirtation and confidence.
A recurring moment in her set featured Carpenter teasing the crowd with, “Have you ever tried this one?” before demonstrating a suggestive new position with her dancers. While many fans celebrated her cheeky confidence, critics accused her of being too provocative.
The debate intensified after her Paris show, where she performed an “Eiffel Tower” formation with her dancers. An artistic choice that quickly became a lightning rod for online discourse.
At its core, Carpenter’s approach shares similarities with burlesque, a theatrical art form that blends humor, drama and dance while using satire and the “tease” of revealing clothing rather than outright nudity. Burlesque has long been recognized as a form of female empowerment, allowing women to reclaim their sexuality on their terms.
In many ways, Carpenter’s unapologetic embrace of sensuality on stage echoes that tradition, proving that female artists can be playful and powerful, without permission.
Carpenter is no stranger to the double standards placed on women in the media, particularly those who, like her, started their careers under the watchful eye of Disney. Much like Miley Cyrus, Carpenter has had to shed the innocent, girl-next-door image that people placed on her as a teenager.
But why should she have to shed anything? Why must women who embrace their sexuality be seen as controversial, while men in music and film are allowed to bask in theirs without criticism?
This brings us back to a larger issue: the way society polices women’s sexuality.
This was evident in 2020 with the backlash to Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B’s song “WAP.“ A song that celebrated female pleasure and confidence, that was immediately deemed vulgar and inappropriate by conservative critics. Meanwhile, male artists have spent decades creating sexually explicit music with little to no pushback, protected by the tired excuse “boys will be boys.”
The Weeknd has built a successful career with music that openly explores themes of sex and desire. Yet, his work is largely praised for its artistry rather than condemned for its content. The stark contrast in reactions highlights the double standard that punishes women for expressing their sexuality while allowing men to do so without consequence.
Women owning their sexuality isn’t harmful, it’s empowering. When Carpenter struts onto a stage in lingerie, it’s not just for show. It’s a reclamation of control. It’s a reminder that women can be sexy and successful, confident and talented, powerful and playful – all at once. She refuses to dim her light or cater to outdated expectations of what a female artist should be.
Carpenter is a 25-year-old woman making music for other adult women, not children. Not everything has to be sanitized just because a female artist is involved. She’s proving that growing up, embracing desire and expressing femininity doesn’t mean losing respect, it means gaining power.
If that makes some people uncomfortable? Well, as she’s made very clear, they don’t have to come to her shows.
Beyond music, there’s something valuable about Carpenter’s approach to criticism. One that women everywhere can apply to their own lives. She’s made it clear that if people don’t like what she’s doing, they don’t have to engage with it.
This mindset isn’t about being dismissive. It’s about standing firm in who you are and recognizing that not everyone is meant to be in your corner.
Too often, women are taught to shrink themselves to avoid making others uncomfortable. To be likable. To soften their edges. But the truth is that no matter how you present yourself, someone will always have an opinion.
Carpenter’s confidence is a reminder that you don’t have to change who you are to fit someone else’s expectations. You can live boldly, take up space and surround yourself with people who celebrate you rather than criticize you.