Sabrina Carpenter pays tribute to Britney Spears, performs at 2024 MTV VMAs debut

Sabrina Carpenter made her highly anticipated MTV Video Music Awards debut on September 11, 2024, delivering a captivating performance that paid homage to Britney Spears and featured a theatrical twist. The 26-year-old singer performed a medley of songs from her latest album Short n' Sweet, including "Please Please Please," "Espresso," and the live debut of "Taste." The performance opened with Carpenter descending from the ceiling in a bedazzled white bodysuit, seated on a diamond-shaped platform. As she performed "Please Please Please," she was theatrically grasped by a giant astronaut prop.

In a nod to Britney Spears, the iconic spoken interlude from Spears' "Oops!… I Did It Again" played before Carpenter transitioned to "Taste." In a further twist, the performance included a staged make-out session with an alien, reminiscent of Spears' interaction with an astronaut in her famous music video. Carpenter's set also featured dancing astronauts during "Espresso," adding to the visual spectacle.

The "Nonsense" singer's performance drew praise for its creativity and boldness, with many comparing it to Spears' influential VMAs performances. Directed by Dave Meyers, the music video for "Taste" had recently dropped, featuring Carpenter and Wednesday star Jenna Ortega in a campy horror-inspired battle​.