Stop trying to make Sabrina Carpenter into a role model for your kids

Pop stars grow up. Maybe we all should too.

Sabrina Carpenter is arguably one of the biggest names in music right now. But there’s one thing she’s not: a role model for your kids.

So let’s stop trying to make her into one.

Today, the singer announced the title of her upcoming album: Man’s Best Friend.

While fans were thrilled, one element had parents collectively begging, please, please, please — be less “embarrassing.”

Fans? Delighted. Parents? Panicked. 

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Sabrina Carpenter is not a Disney darling anymore 

Alongside the announcement came the album cover and it’s already sparking outrage.

Sabrina is pictured on her knees beside a man standing over her, holding her hair like a leash.

The villagers are grabbing their pitchforks, and moral panic has officially entered the group chat.

But here’s the thing: Sabrina Carpenter never asked to babysit your kids' values. She’s a pop star, not a public service announcement.

Facebook, as expected, did not take it well. Thankfully, the comments section on her post doesn’t make up the Grammys voting academy.

“Sabrina that album cover is NOT it,” one person slammed.

Another wrote, “Katy Perry was cancelled for less than that.”

“What a tasteless album cover, yuck,” added a third. 

But not only are they missing the point, they’re expecting a global superstar to rebrand herself to match their sensitivity.

My take? Sabrina is offering commentary on how men, and the entertainment industry, perceive women. The idea that she exists purely for the male gaze.

She’s crafted a satirical response to how she’s publicly perceived. And projecting expectations that she cater to a child-friendly audience is simply unfair. She’s an adult who’s never marketed her music to children. 

In fact, taking a stand like this is something to be admired. If anything, it offers an opportunity for young minds, especially pre-teens beginning to shape their worldview, to consider what it means to challenge stereotypes, own your narrative, and reclaim autonomy.

Projecting the expectation that she cater to younger audiences is an unfair ask. She’s an adult who has never marketed her music toward children. 

Yes, she started out on Disney Channel. But she’s grown up and so has her art. 

Parents say so-spresso to Sabrina Carpenter's latest album art. image:" Instagram/SabrinaCarpenter

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You can’t parent a pop star

During her Short n’ Sweet tour, Sabrina copped backlash from parents who brought their pre-teens to the show, only to be shocked by the sexual innuendos and simulated sex positions on stage.

But, I mean… the breeding kink song, Juno, wasn’t exactly subtle. If you chose to ignore the red flags, that’s on you.

She’s not hiding anything — it’s all right there, loud and glittery.

At the end of the day, it’s the parent’s responsibility to monitor what media their kids are consuming.

You wouldn’t take them to see an MA15+ horror movie at the cinema. So why are you loading Sabrina Carpenter into their Spotify playlist without doing a vibe check?

Personally, I’m a fan. I’ve loved her music ever since I saw her open for Taylor Swift at The Eras Tour just over two years ago.

Seeing her push these kinds of critical conversations through pop music opens a door for important discussions with our kids. About how women aren’t here to be objectified or boxed in by male expectations. 

When I was a teenager, I watched the world rip Miley Cyrus apart as she tried to shed the Hannah Montana wig.

Stars who transition from child star into adult art tend to cop the heat for it the most. For some reason society freezes them at the age they are when they start their career. 

Parents lost their minds over her evolution. But at no point do celebrities owe us the responsibility of parenting our children. 

Stars who transition from child roles into more mature work tend to cop the most heat for it.

For some reason, society loves to freeze them at the age they were when they first appeared on our screens. As if growing up publicly is some kind of betrayal. 

Let adult artists have their full creative control, without the burden of what our kids might think. 

Originally published as Stop trying to make Sabrina Carpenter into a role model for your kids