The buzz was electric at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 on Sunday, September 7. Pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter, age 26, made a splash with the first-ever live performance of her latest single, “Tears.”
The stage at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, was set for an unforgettable moment. Carpenter hit the stage rocking a white fringed top and black leggings. She wasn’t alone; a crew of drag queens joined her, holding signs that clearly showed support for trans equality. The show took a wild turn mid-song. Carpenter shed her top, ending up in a sparkly bra, and danced as rain poured down. This was a playful nod to her song’s bold line: "I get wet thinking about you." Earlier that evening, she turned heads on the red carpet in a stunning red lace dress.
This year has been huge for Carpenter, who racked up nine VMA nominations. These included big categories like Video of the Year for "Manchild," Best Pop Artist, and Best Album for her 2024 hit, Short n’ Sweet.
Her VMA performance came just over a week after she dropped her seventh album, Man’s Best Friend. For this project, she teamed up again with trusted collaborators Jack Antonoff, John Ryan, and songwriter Amy Allen. She opened up about their studio sessions during an August 29 chat with Gayle King on CBS Mornings. Carpenter described the process feeling like a band, with everyone playing different instruments. "Someone’s on drums, someone’s over here playing the synth," she explained, "and then we’re on the tambourine… then I record the vocals."
Fans have been busy guessing about the inspirations behind some of her new songs. After the album came out, many pointed to "Go Go Juice" as possibly hinting at former relationships. Names that rhyme with Shawn Mendes, Barry Keoghan, Joshua Bassett, and Dylan O’Brien popped up in fan theories. The former Disney Channel star, however, kept things fun and mysterious when asked by Gayle King. She said it’s "more fun for people to imagine [someone] in their head than the person that I imagine in mine."
Carpenter did confirm that her love life often fuels her music. She stated that she’s open with her partners from the start about writing songs. Most of the time, she noted, they feel honored "when a song is written about them — good or bad."
This isn’t Carpenter’s first rodeo at the VMAs. She made her debut last year, performing a medley of hits from Short n’ Sweet. The crowd loved "Please Please Please," "Taste," and "Espresso." "Espresso" even snagged the Song of the Year award at that ceremony. During her acceptance speech, she shared her excitement. "I’d literally never won one of these," she said, calling it "really special." She thanked her amazing fans, family, management team, and even her pets.
The show also featured performances from other major artists. Lady Gaga, this year’s top nominee, took the stage. Plus, music legends Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Ricky Martin were honored.
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