Sabrina Carpenter faces scrutiny from PETA over use of dove during Grammys performance

Animal rights group PETA criticises Sabrina Carpenter for including live bird in airport-themed Grammy stage show

Sabrina Carpenter’s dominance at the 2026 Grammys has been met with criticism from the world’s largest animal rights organisation, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

On Sunday, February 1, the 26-year-old pop star took the stage at the 68th Annual Grammys in Los Angeles, where she delivered an airport-themed performance of her hit track Manchild. The appearance drew widespread attention and quickly became one of the most discussed moments of the ceremony.

Carpenter’s act was widely appreciated until she came under fire for including a white dove during her gig, which prompted a strong response from PETA. The organisation reacted shortly after images of the performance circulated online.

“Did Sabrina Carpenter really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?! The Manchild singer is giving childlike behavior. Leave animals out of the #GRAMMYs,” the activist organisation wrote on social media, accompanied by a photo of the singer holding the bird on the Grammys stage.

Taking a further dig at Carpenter, PETA added, referring to her song’s lyrics, “Hey, Sabrina. Bringing a live bird onto the Grammys stage is stupid, slow, useless, and cruel.”

The statement continued with a warning that “bright lights, loud noise, and handling cause fear and distress for a bird who belongs flying free in the open sky.”

Apart from Carpenter’s performance, she was nominated for a total of six awards. Manchild earned nods for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video.

The song’s parent album, Man’s Best Friend, also secured nominations for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

This is not the first time PETA has called out a celebrity for the use of animals. The organisation previously criticised Kim Kardashian for gifting each of her four children a puppy for Christmas 2025, arguing that such gestures encourage impulse ownership.