Sabrina Carpenter drew both criticism and praise after a provocative performance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards that included an explicit rendition of her new single and onstage advocacy for trans rights.
The 26-year-old singer performed at the UBS Arena in New York on Sunday night with drag performers including Honey Balenciaga, Symone, Dashaun Wesley and Richie Shazam. Dancers carried signs that read "In trans we trust," "Dolls, dolls, dolls," "Support drag," "Protect trans rights" and "If you hate, you'll never get laid." The staged routine included a rain-soaked dance break and a wardrobe change from a sparkly, fringed dress to a sparkly bra and black tights.
Carpenter's performance of the song that begins with the lyric "I get wet at the thought of you / Being a responsible guy / Treating me like you're supposed to do / Tears run down my thighs" prompted accusations from some viewers that the set fetishized the trans community and sexualized womanhood. One social media commenter wrote, "There's kind of a weird fetishizing aspect to a lot of the 'protect the dolls' stuff..." Another wrote that the performance turned "womanhood into a plastic, hyperfeminine, hypersexualized product designed to cater to and be sold to men."
Others described the segment as "performative" and accused celebrities of staging rallies rather than offering material support, with one critic writing, "If celebs actually cared, they'd be donating money and helping communities, not holding cardboard on stage." A separate commentator referenced a recent shooting in Minneapolis, writing, "Right after a trans person shot up a school in Minnesota? This feels insensitive tbh. Maybe I'm wrong?" The reference was made by an individual online and linked the performance in tone to a separate, violent incident.
Defenders of Carpenter said the criticism was misplaced. Supporters called it "absurd" to fault her for defending trans rights and noted that the appearance of drag performers and onstage messages were a direct show of solidarity with the community. The debate unfolded on social platforms and entertainment coverage in the hours after the broadcast.
Carpenter later returned to the stage to accept the Moon Person for Best Album for Short N Sweet, one of three VMAs she won that night. In her acceptance speech she thanked her "queens on stage" and acknowledged the prevalence of "criticism and discrimination and negativity," saying she was grateful to make music that could "bring you light, make you smile, make you dance and make you feel like the world is your f*****g oyster." She concluded by addressing fellow nominees and performers, "You all mean so much to me and have inspired me so much. So thanks for letting me be in this room with you. I love you all very much."
The VMAs ceremony featured multiple major winners, with Ariana Grande taking Video of the Year for "Brighter Days Ahead" and Lady Gaga honored as Artist of the Year. Other awards of the evening included wins for Rosé and Bruno Mars for Song of the Year and Alex Warren as Best New Artist.
The mixed response to Carpenter's performance underscores ongoing debates in popular culture over how artists engage with political and social issues onstage. Advocates for trans rights have increasingly appeared at mainstream events, while critics have questioned whether such appearances amount to substantive support. The VMA segment and its reception reflect those broader cultural conversations, with opinions divided among viewers, artists and commentators.