Sabrina Carpenter Faces Backlash For Making X-Rated Gesture During Live Performance
Pop singer Sabrina Carpenter has once again found herself at the center of controversy after a provocative performance during her Short n’ Sweet tour stop in Paris. The 25-year-old, known for her hit song Espresso, stunned audiences when she acted out a suggestive pose on stage—one that many believe was a direct reference to the Eiffel Tower.
Carpenter, who has built a reputation for highly choreographed and energetic shows, has been pushing boundaries with her performances. During her song Juno, she struck a sexually suggestive pose, aligning with the lyrics: “Wanna try out some freaky positions? Have you ever tried this one?” This isn’t the first time the singer has incorporated risqué elements into her act, but her latest stunt has ignited fresh backlash.
During her Los Angeles concert last November, Carpenter mimicked an explicit act by getting on her knees in a suggestive position—a move that social media users called inappropriate, especially given her large young fanbase. In Manchester, UK, she staged a mock “arrest” of a fan, using pink handcuffs to playfully detain an audience member for being “too hot.” That moment also sparked controversy when the fan turned out to be from Liverpool, a rival city, drawing boos from the crowd.
But her recent Paris performance has taken the controversy to another level. Flanked by two backup dancers, Carpenter assumed a position between them as they lifted their arms, forming what was unmistakably meant to resemble the Eiffel Tower. While some in the audience cheered, many online were quick to condemn the stunt.
“Teaching young girls that this kind of behavior is empowering… wow, what a role model,” one critic posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Another wrote, “And people wonder why kids are becoming so hypersexualized these days. This is why.”
Despite the criticism, Carpenter’s loyal fanbase has come to her defense, praising her stage presence and branding the backlash as overblown.
“She absolutely owns the stage every night,” one fan wrote.
Another added, “She’s getting bolder with every show, and I love to see it!”
Some fans even saw humor in the controversy, with one joking, “She really said, ‘When in Paris…’”
Others framed the debate as a larger issue about double standards in the entertainment industry. “So male artists can be vulgar on stage, but a woman does one playful bit and everyone loses their minds? The outrage is ridiculous,” one person posted.
As Carpenter continues her European tour with stops in Berlin, Brussels, and Amsterdam, one thing is clear—she’s not toning things down anytime soon. Fans are already wondering what stunt she’ll pull next.
