How Sabrina Carpenter's love triangle with Olivia Rodrigo & Joshua Bassett rocketed her to stardom

It's hard to imagine, but there were summers before Sabrina Carpenter's hit "Espresso." Released just in April, the catchy daytime disco track has already made a huge impact, creating a popular new phrase ("that’s that me espresso"), topping the UK charts for seven weeks, and amassing 1 billion Spotify streams. It's become so prevalent in cafes, bars, and taxis that it could easily become the anthem of every summer, reminiscent of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky."

Part of its allure lies in its sweet yet subtly dark tone, with Carpenter playfully warning that her allure might cause insomnia. She began writing the song while on vacation in France last July, admitting it was a manifestation effort because she wasn’t romantically involved at the time. “No one was obsessed with me,” she chuckles, acknowledging her own delusional hopes.

Fast forward a year, and Carpenter, 25, has used the success of "Espresso" – the lead single from her sixth album, "Short’n’Sweet," out today – to become one of 2024’s top pop stars. Despite her initial struggles, Carpenter has achieved major milestones like sellout arena tours, chart-topping hits, and widespread recognition.

Meeting in early June at a posh Soho hotel, Carpenter was celebrating the news that her follow-up single, "Please Please Please," a mix of yacht rock and country, would debut at No. 1 on the UK charts. Though she acknowledges this success, she says it’s not her primary motivation for making music. “It’s like the sprinkles on top of the sundae,” she explains.

Carpenter is part of a new wave of pop stars, including Chappell Roan and Charli XCX, who appear less polished and more genuine compared to the previous decade's pop icons. Although she arrived at our interview looking impeccable, her personality shines through with quick wit and humor.

Her career has been on the rise for years, evolving from a child actor on Disney's "Girl Meets World" to a successful musician. The success of "Espresso" marks a decade of hard work, including early music releases that allowed for significant experimentation. Carpenter's early hits ranged from folk and soul to EDM, shaped by her experiences at Disney.

Despite her growing fame, Carpenter has faced challenges, including public scrutiny and legal issues. Her 2022 album, "Emails I Can’t Send," marked a career reset and showcased a more mature, edgy side. She used the love triangle drama involving Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett to her advantage, reinventing herself with hits like "Skinny Dipping" and "Nonsense."

Her new album, "Short’n’Sweet," likely to top charts in both the UK and US, reflects her eclectic tastes and influences from artists like Fiona Apple and SZA. Carpenter's lyrical style remains distinctive, blending humor with heartfelt emotion.

As a Taurus, Carpenter is known for her stubbornness and creative control in the studio. Despite recent rumors about her personal life, including a rumored split from actor Barry Keoghan, she remains focused on her music and her audience. “I want to be honest – I want to just write about what’s happening in my life as a 25-year-old girl,” she says. “But it comes with the territory and I just have to be like … OK!”