Sabrina Carpenter Isn’t Holding Back When It Comes To Being 'Ridiculed' By Men

By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on September 23, 2025 at 2:30 PM EDT

Sabrina Carpenter at The Brit Awards 2025
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Sabrina Carpenter is showing no signs of slowing down. Fresh off a string of sold-out shows, viral moments, and the success of her new album "Man’s Best Friend," the 26-year-old pop star is cementing herself as one of the defining voices of her generation. Known for her witty improvised riffs during live performances, bold fashion choices, and unapologetic authenticity, Carpenter continues to connect with fans in ways that feel both playful and deeply personal.

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Sabrina Carpenter Gets Candid On Fame, Fashion, And The 'Fun Species' Known As Men

Sabrina Carpenter at 2025 MTV Video Music Awards
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Now, the singer and actress is opening up in a new feature for the October 2025 cover of Vogue Italia, where she got candid about her whirlwind life on the road and shared a brutally honest take on how men view her. “I think men are a fun species to watch,” Carpenter told Vogue Italia. “I feel adored by some… ridiculed by others.”

While Carpenter may joke about feeling both adored and ridiculed by men, she admits there’s one area where her outlook softens: celebrating the arrival of baby boys. “When one of my female friends announces that she’s having a son, I just rejoice for that young boy,” she shared. “Because I know he’s going to be raised right.”

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Still, Carpenter couldn’t resist adding a playful jab, pointing out the challenges that come with growing into manhood. “Correct me if I’m wrong, I’ve only been on Earth for 26 years, but I feel like we’ve always kind of had to train them," the singer continued. "Unfortunately, it’s a tale as old as time.”

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Carpenter Says Touring Chaos Fuels Her Creativity

Sabrina Carpenter at The Brit Awards 2025
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Speaking from her Los Angeles home while preparing for yet another flight, she laughed about her non-stop lifestyle. “I’m always busy packing and unpacking. It’s pretty much all I do.” Despite the chaos, Carpenter says the constant movement fuels her creativity, enabling her to shine on the world's biggest stages, from opening for Taylor Swift’s "Eras Tour" to headlining her own concerts and festivals, such as Lollapalooza.

This fall, she’s stepping onto the stage under her own name, something she relishes even more. “It means I get to perform with the lights off, which is much more fun, because I like playing in the dark," she admitted.

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Sabrina Carpenter Is Not Afraid To Turn Relationships Into Songs

Sabrina Carpenter at Outside Lands Music Festival 2024
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Carpenter knows her music often sparks speculation, especially when it comes to rumored muses like Barry Keoghan, who fans believe inspired tracks such as “Manchild” and “Bed Chem.” But the singer insists she’s not fazed by men who shy away from dating her out of fear of becoming the subject of her lyrics.

“I feel pretty transparent going into any of my relationships, that I write songs,” she explained during a recent appearance on "CBS Mornings." “Most of the times they have been pretty flattered when they get a song about them, good or bad. I think they’re just excited to get a shoutout.”

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Carpenter went on to say she’s confident she’ll attract the right kind of partner, one who doesn’t crumble under the pressure of her candor. “I think I will attract exactly who I’m supposed to attract,” she added. “I think it’s good to know I intimidate someone and they come closer. I think that means I’m dealing with something that is at least mentally strong enough to surpass some of that emotional immaturity.”

Carpenter’s Bold Album Artwork Sparks Debate

When Carpenter revealed the cover art for her upcoming album "Man’s Best Friend," it instantly set off a firestorm online. The provocative image shows the singer kneeling in a little black dress and heels, gazing directly into the camera while a man looms above her, gripping her hair.

The imagery has divided fans and critics alike. Some argue it contradicts Carpenter’s reputation for calling out men in her music, labeling it hypocritical or at odds with her so-called “man-hater” persona. Others defend it as deliberate and subversive, noting that Carpenter rarely does anything without layers of meaning behind it.

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To Carpenter, though, the artwork isn’t something to stress over. “I’m living in the glory of no one hearing it or knowing about it, and so I cannot care,” she told Rolling Stone in her July-August cover story. “I cannot give a f-ck about it, because I’m just so excited.”

Sabrina Carpenter Isn't Afraid To Stir The Conversation

Sabrina Carpenter at 2024 MTV Video Music Awards
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Between her candid takes on men, her playful approach to performance, and her willingness to spark debate with bold imagery, Sabrina Carpenter has proven she’s not interested in playing it safe.

Whether she’s headlining shows, teasing fans with album rollouts, or tackling controversy head-on, the 26-year-old continues to embrace authenticity over approval.

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