Sabrina Carpenter seems to be doing it all. Riding a wave of momentum during her global tour, she recently announced her next album, “Man’s Best Friend,” set for release in late August. Fans everywhere were stirring with excitement…until they took a closer look at the cover art. Controversy erupted all over the internet. People were disgusted, saying it promotes imagery degrading women. Others argued it’s simply meant to be ironic.
The cover shows Carpenter on her hands and knees, being pulled by the hair by an unidentifiable individual in a suit. She appears to be composed and almost playful, but the power-dynamic suggestion in the pose sparked major controversies. People say that it shows an image historically used to demean women.
In 2025, women empowerment is an important thing. We are finally in an era where women are able to reclaim their stories and rewrite their narratives. Many new pop stars are doing just that – they write songs about growing up, heartbreak and, overall, the female experience. These emerging musicians are part of this movement, which is why so many people are outraged by this art. It feels like a step back.
Fans, however, argue that it is meant to be satirical commentary – an ironic play on the album’s title meant to evoke deeper conversations rather than enforce stereotypes. Many feel that Carpenter music isn’t bluntly empowering to make this message clear, though.
Critics also comment that Carpenter’s public persona is also not overtly feminist. They call attention to her “Juno” poses made during her concerts, which reference sexual positions. Many feel that her branding itself sexualizes herself and young women.
Whether the art was meant to be ironic is besides the point. It shows a woman in a degrading position and has made many women feel disempowered. Above all else, impact is always more important than intent.
And if it was just a clever marketing strategy to get people talking, I guess it worked!
