On Thursday, Sabrina Carpenter made waves on Instagram by announcing her new album Man’s Best Friend with a provocative carousel.
While fans were thrilled about the prospect of new music, the bold album cover has sparked heated debate. The artwork, featuring Carpenter in a submissive pose paired with a close-up of the engraved collar, struck some as playful and provocative, but others found it problematic.
Online reactions have been sharply divided.
Some critics accused the imagery of “setting feminism back a hundred years,” while others lamented the lack of media literacy in the backlash, arguing, “It’s irony towards the male gaze, obviously.”
Others pointed out the context of the current political climate in the United States, particularly regarding women’s rights. One Instagram user commented, “Love Sabrina, but in this political climate—Trump, women losing control over their bodies—this feels kind of insensitive.”
Still, plenty of fans came to Carpenter’s defense, praising the satirical nature of the visuals. “You know she’s a POP QUEEN when people are quaking because they don’t understand basic satire,” one supporter wrote. Another added, “It’s camp. It’s commentary. It’s brilliant. Let the girl cook.”
As the online conversation continues to intensify, one thing is certain: Man’s Best Friend is already making a statement, whether audiences love it or hate it.
