The MTV Video Music Awards 2025 had its share of dazzling moments, but one star truly turned heads. Singer Sabrina Carpenter, at 26 years old, made a grand entrance on the red carpet. She arrived at the UBS Arena in New York for the Sunday, September 7 ceremony, ready for a big night.
Carpenter was a vision in red. She wore a long-sleeved lace dress that sparkled with floral sequins. To add a pop of unexpected color, she wrapped a lavender boa around her shoulders. Her signature voluminous curls cascaded loosely, completing a look that was both bold and beautiful.
A Night of Big Hopes
It’s a huge night for Carpenter, who is up for eight VMA awards. Her hit "Manchild" earned nominations for Video of the Year, Best Pop, Best Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Visual Effects. Her album Short n’ Sweet is a contender for Best Album. She’s also in the running for Best Pop Artist. Fans are also excited to see her take the stage for a live performance during the show.
This isn’t Carpenter’s first rodeo at the VMAs. Just last year, in September 2024, she celebrated her first VMA win. She snagged the Song of the Year award for her catchy track "Espresso." That same night, she wowed the crowd with her debut VMA performance, singing a medley of "Please Please Please," "Taste," and "Espresso." What a way to make an introduction!
Behind the Scenes of “Man’s Best Friend”
Carpenter has been busy leading up to this year’s awards. Her latest album, Man’s Best Friend, just dropped on August 29. It features the June single "Manchild," which is clearly making waves with all those VMA nominations.
Creating Man’s Best Friend was a unique experience for the artist. She shared her thoughts in an email to fans back in June. Carpenter explained she doesn’t always plan new albums. "When inspiration strikes, I go to the studio," she wrote. "Even when it doesn’t, I still go." Luckily for fans, life brought plenty of ideas this time around. "Life was really happening to me, and inspiration arrived!" she shared.
She also mentioned how smooth the process felt. "I tried not to overthink the process this time," Carpenter said. She found making Man’s Best Friend surprisingly easy, calling it "a gift not to be taken for granted." Usually, she struggles to put things together. This time? "This was like riding a bike!" she exclaimed.
Sabrina’s Witty Comebacks
Beyond her music, Carpenter has also shown a knack for handling public comments with grace and wit. She recently tackled criticism about the spicy themes in her songs. In a Rolling Stone cover story from June, she didn’t hold back.
"It always cracks me up when people complain," she told the magazine. "They say, ‘All she does is sing about this.’" She pointed out the irony, reminding everyone, "But those are the songs you have made popular. Clearly you love sex. You are obsessed with it." Talk about turning the tables!
Later that same month, Carpenter faced more chatter, this time about her Man’s Best Friend album cover. The image shows her on all fours while a man gently pulls her hair. Some people weren’t shy about sharing their opinions.
One X user questioned her, asking in June, "Does she have any personality outside of sex?" Carpenter, always quick with a comeback, responded directly. With her signature humor, she shot back, "Yes, girl, and it’s a very good one." It seems Sabrina Carpenter is not just a singer and performer; she’s also a master of witty remarks.