Colman Domingo has addressed backlash following his role in Sabrina Carpenter’s latest music video, Tears, a visual homage to the cult favorite The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
The 55-year-old Sing Sing actor responded after a user on X (formerly Twitter) criticized his appearance in drag, questioning why he was cast in the role. The commenter suggested Hollywood had undermined his masculinity, despite his reputation as a respected actor.
Domingo quickly dismissed the remarks, making it clear his role was simply another performance. “It’s a character. Like all the characters I play. Calm down brother. Enjoy the video and the fun that it possesses. Dance it out! It ain’t that deep,” he wrote. He added a reminder rooted in drag culture: “We are born naked and everything else is drag — suits, T-shirts, dresses. All drag.”
Domingo’s comments highlighted the playful spirit of the project — a tone reflected throughout the Tears video itself. Released on August 29 alongside Carpenter’s seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, the video tells a surreal story that blends fantasy, camp, and dark humor.
Carpenter, 26, is seen surviving a car crash before wandering into a mysterious mansion filled with decadent celebrations. There, Domingo appears as a Dr. Frank-N-Furter–inspired character who guides her transformation into a flashier, bolder version of herself.
The narrative takes a twist when Carpenter’s presumed-dead lover reappears, leading her to strike him down in a tongue-in-cheek moment that nods to the recurring themes of death in her visuals.
With Tears, Carpenter continues to experiment with bold storytelling and provocative imagery. The video pairs her pop sensibilities with Domingo’s theatrical performance, underscoring the singer’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ