Sabrina Carpenter’s Grammy bird moment goes viral after unexpected mishap

At the 68th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on February 1, 2026, Sabrina Carpenter’s performance of Manchild made headlines not just for its theatrical staging but for a quirky and unplanned moment that quickly went viral online. Near the end of her set, Carpenter was holding a live bird, widely reported to be a white dove, when the animal accidentally pooped on her hand as she performed. The moment instantly became one of the most talked-about snippets from the evening and was widely shared across social platforms, often accompanied by humour and surprise from viewers.

Carpenter’s Manchild performance was already generating buzz. She took the stage in a bold outfit and performed on a retro-airport-inspired set before the bird was introduced into the act. The inclusion of live animals, however, quickly drew criticism from animal-rights advocates. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) condemned the decision to use a live dove on stage, saying that bright lights, loud noise and handling can cause unnecessary stress and distress for birds that belong flying free. The group called the stunt “stupid and cruel” in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Fans on social platforms chimed in immediately after the ceremony, with many questioning why a live animal was included in a high-energy musical performance. One widely upvoted comment criticised the use of the bird as a prop, saying it felt unnecessary and likely terrifying for the animal. Others pointed out that while the rest of Carpenter’s act was energetic and well-executed, the bird seemed out of place in the context of the show.

Still, not all viewers agreed on the criticism. Some defended Carpenter, noting that animals have been part of live entertainment performances in the past and that the bird appeared to be handled carefully during her act. A separate Reddit thread compared reactions to Carpenter’s bird moment with other memorable live-animal moments in music history, highlighting how audience perceptions about animal involvement in performances can vary widely.

The Grammys themselves were packed with memorable moments beyond this incident. Carpenter was one of the most-nominated artists of the evening, earning multiple nods for Manchild and her latest album Man’s Best Friend, though she did not take home a trophy this year.