Sabrina Carpenter is no stranger to sparking conversation, but her latest project, Man’s Best Friend, may be her most daring yet. Ahead of its release, the 26-year-old pop star openly admitted that the album isn’t made for what she calls the “pearl clutchers.” In fact, she suggested some listeners may only feel comfortable playing it in private.
Speaking in a newly released preview of her CBS Mornings interview, Carpenter described the album as “almost too TMI.” She explained that her music often makes audiences laugh, smirk, or even squirm, and she sees that as part of the fun. While some critics have already labelled her lyrics as overly sexual, the singer insists the tracks are just as powerful and vulnerable as they are provocative.
“This is just fun”: In an exclusive interview tomorrow, pop superstar @SabrinaAnnLynn tells @GayleKing how she embraces the provocative lyrics in her highly-anticipated next album, “Man’s Best Friend.” pic.twitter.com/DBWlGjXu2K
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 28, 2025
This isn’t the first time Carpenter has been targeted for her bold writing. Songs like Juno and Bed Chem from her 2024 breakout album Short n’ Sweet were widely criticised for their sexual content. Yet the star has consistently hit back, noting that audiences themselves turned those tracks viral, particularly on TikTok. In a Rolling Stone interview earlier this year, she pointed out the irony, saying, “Clearly you love sex. You’re obsessed with it. Those are the ones you post every night.”
The controversy surrounding Man’s Best Friend intensified after the cover art was revealed, showing Carpenter posed on all fours while a man pulled her hair. Critics called the imagery degrading, while fans rushed to defend her creative freedom. Carpenter later released alternate covers for those who found the original too provocative.
Despite the backlash, anticipation for the project is high. With Carpenter now a two-time Grammy winner and one of pop’s fastest rising stars, many expect Man’s Best Friend to become her boldest commercial success yet. For the singer, the outrage seems only to fuel her. As she teased, even pearl clutchers might secretly enjoy it when no one is watching.
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