Things weren’t looking so sweet for Sabrina Carpenter after her performance at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards.
The pint-sized pop star divided fans as she advocated for trans rights while performing her new explicit single Tears on Sunday night, with some accusing her of ‘fetishizing’ the community while others condemned how ‘political’ they feel the awards show has become.
Carpenter, 26, was joined on stage by famous drag queens, including Honey Balenciaga, Symone, Dashaun Wesley and Richie Shazam, many of whom were carrying signs that read ‘In trans we trust,’ ‘Dolls, dolls, dolls,’ ‘Support drag,’ ‘Protect trans rights’ and ‘If you hate, you’ll never get laid’.
Later in the night, the Manchild singer thanked her ‘queens on stage’ as she accepted the award for Best Album.
Now, an insider has exclusively told the Daily Mail how Carpenter’s performance was a far cry from the original concept and that she took a ‘major risk’ by changing it up just days before the ceremony at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
Carpenter ‘wanted to celebrate’ the trans community so she ‘changed the original concept to this one,’ said our source. Initially, the performance ‘was a tongue in cheek take on Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 movie.’
Sabrina Carpenter divided fans as she advocated for trans rights while performing her new explicit single Tears at Sunday night’s MTV Video Music Awards
The 26-year-old was accused of ‘fetishizing’ the community while others condemned how ‘political’ they feel the awards show has become
Carpenter stripped down to a vintage showgirl bra and was joined by trans performers holding political signs for her performance
While she was always set on performing Tears, ‘all of the costumes and set designs had to be changed last minute.’ They were reportedly able to move quickly because they ‘did have some of these ideas already in place for her next tour.’
‘Sabrina spoke to members of the trans community before the performance and learned that many felt that they are fetishized in private through adult entertainment but kept out of the mainstream,’ the source said.
‘She wants to celebrate people who are used and abused by society and she knew she was taking a risk.’
Despite Carpenter making an effort to celebrate trans women, not all fans were happy and many took to social media to voice their complaints. One wrote, ‘There’s kind of a weird fetishizing aspect to a lot of the “protect the dolls” stuff,’ while others called the performance ‘face activism’ and ‘performative.’
‘If celebs actually cared, they’d be donating money and helping communities, not holding cardboard on stage,’ wrote another angry viewer.
One commentator made a reference to trans school shooter Robin Westman, who opened fire at a Minneapolis Catholic school church last month, killing two children.
‘Right after a trans person shot up a school in Minnesota? This feels insensitive tbh,’ they wrote. ‘Maybe I’m wrong?’
Others accused the long-running awards show of becoming a ‘campaign rally,’ despite showcasing many political moments over the years.
Now, an insider has exclusively told the Daily Mail how Carpenter’s performance was a far cry from the original concept and that she took a ‘major risk’ by changing it up just days before
Initially, the performance ‘was a tongue in cheek take on Dolly Parton ’s 9 to 5 movie’ (Parton pictured with co-stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin)
The Espresso singer’s fans stuck by her side and praised the performance, including the dance break in the rain.
Carpenter changed the number of dancers to include more trans performers one of whom held a Protect the Dolls sign, which was a reference to the unsolved murder of trans performer Venus Xtravaganza.
Her performance may have proved divisive, but the singer cleared up when it came to the awards.
She beat Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, and Morgan Wallen to take home Best Album for Short N Sweet.
During her acceptance speech, Carpenter mentioned ‘discrimination’ and ‘negativity,’ which some took to be a dig at President Donald Trump, whose administration has had a significant impact on the transgender community.
‘This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,’ she said. ‘So to get to be a part of something so often, more than not, that is something that can bring you light, make you smile, make you dance and make you feel like the world is your f*****g oyster, I am so grateful, so grateful to do that.
‘So thanks, everyone here. But most importantly, my fans are just, you’ve been there for me. So thank you.’
While Short N Sweet has been applauded by critics and fans alike, her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend, has been far more controversial.
‘She wants to celebrate people who are used and abused by society and she knew she was taking a risk,’ said our insider (Carpenter pictured on stage collecting the Best Album award)
Carpenter previously warned that the record is ‘not for the pearl clutchers,’ and set the tone in June when she revealed an album sleeve, which showed her in a submissive pose, kneeling in a black mini dress with her hair being pulled by a faceless man in a suit.
Some people thought the image was demeaning to women while others believed the cheeky pop star was simply being satirical. Carpenter has since released three alternative, less controversial album covers following the massive backlash.
She is no stranger to controversy having faced a barrage of criticism for her double entendres and sexually suggestive dance moves on tour having shed her girl-next door Disney image in favor of a more adult look.
She addressed the backlash to her onstage outfits earlier this year, telling critics ‘don’t come to the show’ as she insisted that her skimpy costumes make her feel ‘comfortable’.
