Sabrina Carpenter is directly addressing critics amidst the anticipation for her upcoming studio album, Man’s Best Friend. She maintains a defiant stance against those who question her evolving artistic choices and provocative style.
The pop star’s new album, Man’s Best Friend, is set to release on August 29, 2025. Its cover art and lead single have already ignited significant public discourse.
Carpenter released the debut single, "Manchild," in June 2025. The album’s official cover shows Carpenter on all fours, with an unidentified man appearing to pull her hair.
This imagery drew sharp criticism on social media. Some users alleged it glorified domestic violence.
One X user stated, "Women suffer horrific domestic abuse and degradation… but she wants to profit off using imagery of herself being degraded." The user added that "pleasing men will never be feminist."
Another X user questioned if Carpenter possessed "a personality outside of sex." Carpenter responded directly in June 2025, stating, "Girl, yes, and it’s goooood."
The lyrics of "Manchild" also sparked controversy. Lines like, "It’s all so familiar, love, what do you call it? Stupid? Or is it slow? Maybe it’s useless? But there’s a prettier word for it. I know: Manchild," led some fans to call out the use of "slow" as an ableist slur.
An X user asserted that Carpenter was "ignorant at best, [and] intentionally ableist at worst." However, other fans defended the artist. They argued that she is "incredibly smart and nuanced" in her public image.
Carpenter has not publicly commented on the "Manchild" lyric controversy. However, she has expressed excitement for the album, telling Rolling Stone, "I’m living in the glory of no one having heard it or known about it, so I can not care." She added, "I can not give a damn, because I’m so excited."
Producer Jack Antonoff, who collaborated on Man’s Best Friend, praised the album. He told Rolling Stone that the songs have "a lot of identity." He also noted, "I consider a good part of this album to be some of the most honest I’ve heard."
Antonoff described the album as "truly celebratory," despite its lyrics largely focusing on "disappointment in relationships."
In response to the early backlash, Carpenter presented an alternative album cover in June 2025. She jokingly called it a "God-approved alternative cover" on Instagram. This black and white image features her in a lace dress, linking arms with a man in a suit.
During an August 2025 interview on CBS Mornings, Carpenter told Gayle King that Man’s Best Friend and its provocative concept are "just for fun." She noted the album "is not for the easily offended."
Carpenter believes even those who are easily offended might find joy in listening to the album in private. She highlighted the sight of young girls at concerts "shouting at the top of their lungs" as a sign of collective relief and fun.
In a December 2025 Variety cover story, Carpenter admitted she was initially surprised by the negative reactions to her explicit lyrics. She stated, "I think it wouldn’t matter as much if I wasn’t a childhood figure to some people."
Carpenter emphasized her right to artistic growth. "It’s not my fault I got a job at 12 and they won’t let me evolve," she told Variety.
She expressed hope that her frankness about sexuality could benefit young listeners. Carpenter believes people are often "too afraid to talk about it."
Carpenter concluded that her personal boundaries remain strong despite her lyrics. She asserted, "I’m just living my life and you’re watching. If you don’t like it, it’s not for you. If you like it, let’s play."