S Poddar
Sabrina Carpenter’s BRIT Awards 2025 performance has sparked a fierce controversy, with reactions varying from praise to outrage. While some fans called it “iconic,” others called it “inappropriate” for a family-friendly broadcast.
At the galaxy-packed ceremony held on March 1, Carpenter won the Global Success Award, as well as nominations for International Artist of the Year and International Song of the Year for ‘Espresso,’ her popular track. Although Carpenter lost both prizes to Chappell Roan, her live performance was what made headlines far beyond her heavenly singing voice.
The ceremony began with Carpenter performing a lively rendition of ‘Espresso,’ surrounded by a group of dancing King’s Guards. The act then moved on to a daring performance of ‘Bed Chem,’ where she danced on top of a giant pink bed, surrounded by dancers in equally themed arrangements. But one moment caused controversy—Carpenter kneeling before a male dancer, who winked at the camera as she went out of sight.
The suggestive nature of the performance triggered discussions about whether it was appropriate for its pre-watershed airing—before 9 PM, when content deemed unsuitable for younger audiences is usually restricted.
Other than reactions, feedback varied widely too. Some admirers took to X (previously Twitter) to share how much they were loving it, with one proclaiming it “iconic.” Others were dissatisfied with the performance as provocative, with someone writing, “It’s meant to be a family show. This feels unnecessary.”
Captioning the controversy in her own sharp style, Carpenter posted an image from the night on Instagram and wrote a minimalist six-word caption: “I now know what watershed is!!!!”
This is not the first time Carpenter has faced scrutiny for embracing her sexuality in her performances. Recently, she responded to criticism from industry veterans Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman. Waterman had singled her out in an interview with The Sun, stating, “If you’re asking to be respected, don’t come on in a G-string,” while Stock dismissed her sexually expressive lyrics as “lazy.”
Carpenter was quick to retaliate in an interview with The Sun on Sunday, saying, “My message has always been clear – if you can’t handle a girl who is confident in her own sexuality, then don’t come to my shows.”
She also pointed out the long-standing trend of female artists being judged harshly for their image and stage presence, saying, “Female artists have been shamed forever.”. In the noughties, I was Rihanna, in the nineties I was Britney Spears, in the eighties Madonna – and now I am me. It is basically saying that female artists are not allowed to express their sexuality in their words, in their clothing, in their performances.
Carpenter denounced the continuing double standards within the music world, continuing, “It is completely regressive. It’s like the people who want to shame don’t comment when I’m discussing self-care or body positivity or heartbreak, which are all normal experiences a 25-year-old has. They only want to discuss the sexual aspect of my performances.”
In spite of the divided responses, Carpenter’s career continues to rise. Her music continues to inspire listeners across the globe, and she remains unapologetic in her artistry. Whether seen as transgressive or liberating, her performances advance the discussion of artistic liberty, self-expression, and the changing measures of pop music.
The controversy over the BRITs 2025 performance might not be universally accepted, but one thing is certain: Sabrina Carpenter is not taking criticism into consideration. She continues to be fearless, confident, and willing to defy old views while remaining true to her own vision.
