Sabrina Carpenter left fans divided with her raunchy performance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, during which she advocated for trans rights.
Some have accused the 26-year-old singer of ‘fetishizing’ the trans community with her rendition of her latest single, ‘Tears,’ which features explicit lyrics.
Carpenter was joined on stage by drag queens — including Honey Balenciaga, Symone, Dashaun Wesley and Richie Shazam — for her performance at the UBS Arena in New York, which included a dance break in the rain.
Her background dancers also carried 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 show, Carpenter returned to the stage to accept the award for Best Album, thanking her ‘queens on stage’.
But not all fans were pleased, with one writing, ‘There’s kind of a weird fetishizing aspect to a lot of the “protect the dolls” stuff but I’m alright not caring about that until there’s a lot less “exterminate the dolls” stuff going on.’
Sabrina Carpenter, 26, left fans divided with her raunchy performance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, during which she advocated for trans rights
Some have accused the singer of ‘fetishizing’ the trans community with her rendition of her latest single, ‘Tears,’ which features explicit lyrics
‘“Dolls dolls dolls” unsurprisingly, trans identifying males are the focus over the females, and in classic Sabrina Carpenter fashion womanhood is turned into a plastic, hyperfeminine, hypersexualized product designed to cater to and be sold to men,’ another added.
‘They turn concerts into campaign rallies, then wonder why people stop watching.’
Another wrote: ‘One reason many Americans did not watch the VMAs.’
‘If celebs actually cared, they’d be donating money and helping communities, not holding cardboard on stage,’ someone else chimed in.
Yet another 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. Maybe I’m wrong?’
Another called the performance ‘fake activism’.
‘This feels performative.’
Carpenter was joined on stage by drag queens for her performance at the UBS Arena in New York, which included a dance break in the rain
Her background dancers also carried signs that read ‘In trans we trust’, ‘Dolls, dolls, dolls,’ ‘Support drag,’ ‘Protect trans rights’ and ‘If you hate, you’ll never get laid’
Not all of her fans were pleased, with one accusing the singer of turning womanhood ‘into a plastic, hyperfeminine, hypersexualized product designed to cater to and be sold to men’
But others defended the singer, saying it was ‘absurd’ to take issue with the performance which was ‘defending trans rights’
Later in the show, Carpenter returned to the stage to accept the award for Best Album, thanking her ‘queens on stage’
Sabrina triumphed over Gaga in the Best Album category for Short N Sweet, and in her speech she mentioned ‘discrimination’ and ‘negativity’
Sabrina took home three Moon Person trophies in total
MTV Video Music Awards 2025 winners: AT A GLANCE
Video of the Year: Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Best Pop: Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Ariana Grande earned top honor Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead
Best Album: Sabrina Carpenter – Short N Sweet
Best Pop Artist: Sabrina Carpenter
Song of the Year: Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt
Best New Artist: Alex Warren
MTV Push Performance of the Year: Katseye – Touch
MTV Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey
Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin
Rock The Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes
But others defended the singer, saying it was ‘absurd’ to take issue with the performance which was ‘defending trans rights’.
The song begins with a first verse that has explicit lyrics: ‘I get wet at the thought of you/ Being a responsible guy / Treating me like you’re supposed to do / Tears run down my thighs.’
Sabrina began her performance in a sparkly, fringed dress, which she later removed to reveal a sparkly bra and black tights for a dance break
As she and her dancers moved through a choreographed routine, rain began to fall on the stage.
Later on Sabrina triumphed over Gaga in the Best Album category for Short N Sweet, and in her speech she mentioned ‘discrimination’ and ‘negativity’.
Some thought her speech was a dig at President Donald Trump, whose administration has had a significant impact on the trans community.
The hitmaker’s field included Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Kendrick Lamar – GNX, Lady Gaga – Mayhem, Morgan Wallen – I’m the Problem, and The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Sabrina began her acceptance speech by thanking her fans as she said: ‘Hello. Oh, my goodness. There’s so many people here. Well, thank you. Thank you, VMAs, for this. This is, this is my second moon man, which is so crazy.’
‘I really don’t take for granted when you guys take the time out of your lives to listen to album. And if I’m lucky enough that that is my album, I am so grateful whether that be Short N Sweet or Man’s Best Friend my new album or one of my 29 before that. I’m just the luckiest girl in the world.’
Earlier in the night Sabrina sizzled in a skintight glittery red lace gown by Valentino, paired with a lavender feather boa, as she arrived at the bash ahead of her performance
‘And I do want to say to my incredible cast and dancers and my queens on stage. And my queens on stage with me tonight.’
She added that the world can be ‘full of criticism’ for her work and that she’s grateful to be a musician.
‘This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity. 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.’
She wrapped up her speech stating: ‘So thanks, everyone here. But most importantly, my fans are just, you’ve been there for me. So thank you.’
‘And the last thing I’ll say is every artist here tonight that is nominated, that’s performing, that is just standing here looking amazing, you all mean so much to me and have inspired me so much.’
‘So thanks for letting me be in this room with you. I love you all very much.’
Earlier in the night Sabrina sizzled in a skintight glittery red lace gown by Valentino, paired with a lavender feather boa, as she arrived at the bash ahead of her performance.
The Espresso hitmaker — who is nominated for a number of awards, including video of the year, best pop artist, and best album — looked every inch like Jessica Rabbit in her floor-length dress, and wore her blonde tresses in voluminous curls.
MTV Video Music Awards 2025 winners in full
Video of the Year, Presented by Burger King®
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead – WINNER
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless
Ariana Grande earned the top honor of Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead
Artist of the Year
Beyoncé
Kendrick Lamar
Lady Gaga – WINNER
Morgan Wallen
Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Song of the Year
Alex Warren – Ordinary
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Doechii – Anxiety
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Gracie Abrams – I Love You, I’m Sorry
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt. – WINNER
Tate McRae – Sports Car
The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless
Rose won Song of the Year alongside Bruno Mars for Apt.
Best New Artist
Alex Warren – WINNER
Ella Langley
Gigi Perez
Lola Young
Sombr
The Marías
Best Pop Artist
Ariana Grande
Charli XCX
Justin Bieber
Lorde
Miley Cyrus
Sabrina Carpenter -WINNER
Tate McRae
MTV Push Performance of the Year, Presented by Bacardí® Rum
Ayra Starr – Last Heartbreak Song
Damiano David – Next Summer
Dasha – Bye Bye Bye
Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
Jordan Adetunji – Kehlani
Katseye – Touch – WINNER
Lay Bankz – Graveyard
Leon Thomas – Yes It Is
Livingston – Shadow
Mark Ambor – Belong Together
Role Model – Sally, When the Wine Runs Out
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Best Collaboration, Presented by Under Armour
Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs – Backup Plan (Stagecoach Official Music Video)
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile – WINNER
Post Malone Featuring Blake Shelton – Pour Me a Drink
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – Sunset Blvd
Lady Gaga earned four including Best Collaboration with Bruno Mars
Best Pop
Alex Warren – Ordinary
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead – WINNER
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Best Hip-Hop
Doechii – Anxiety – WINNER
Drake – Nokia
Eminem Featuring Jelly Roll – Somebody Save Me
Glorilla Featuring Sexyy Red – Whatchu Kno About Me
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
LL Cool J Featuring Eminem – Murdergram Deux
Travis Scott – 4×4
Best R&B
Chris Brown – Residuals
Leon Thomas & Freddie Gibbs – Mutt (Remix)
Mariah Carey – Type Dangerous – WINNER
PartyNextDoor – No Chill
Summer Walker – Heart of a Woman
SZA – Drive
The Weeknd & Playboi Carti – Timeless
Best Alternative
Gigi Perez – Sailor Song
Imagine Dragons – Wake Up
Lola Young – Messy
MGK & Jelly Roll – Lonely Road
Sombr – Back to Friends – WINNER
The Marías – Back to Me
Best Rock
Coldplay – All My Love – WINNER
Evanescence – Afterlife (From the Netflix Series “Devil May Cry”)
Green Day – One Eyed Bastard
Lenny Kravitz – Honey
Linkin Park – The Emptiness Machine
Twenty One Pilots – The Contract
Best Latin
Bad Bunny – Baile Inolvidable
J Balvin – Rio
Karol G – Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido
Peso Pluma – La Patrulla
Rauw Alejandro & Romeo Santos – Khé?
Shakira – Soltera – WINNER
Best K-Pop
Aespa – Whiplash
Jennie – Like Jennie
Jimin – Who
Jisoo – Earthquake
Lisa Featuring Doja Cat & Raye – Born Again – WINNER
Stray Kids – Chk Chk Boom
Rosé – Toxic Till the End
Best Afrobeats
Asake & Travis Scott – Active
Burna Boy Featuring Travis Scott – TaTaTa
Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix)
Rema – Baby (Is It A Crime)
Tems Featuring Asake – Get It Right
Tyla – Push 2 Start – WINNER
Wizkid Featuring Brent Faiyaz – Piece of My Heart
Best Country
Chris Stapleton – Think I’m in Love With You
Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood – I’m Gonna Love You
Jelly Roll – Liar
Lainey Wilson – 4x4xU
Megan Moroney – Am I Okay? – WINNER
Morgan Wallen – Smile
Best Album
Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos
Kendrick Lamar – GNX
Lady Gaga – Mayhem
Morgan Wallen – I’m the Problem
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet – WINNER
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
Sabrina Carpenter earned three including Best Album for Short n’ Sweet
Best Long Form Video
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead – WINNER
Bad Bunny – Debí Tirar Más Fotos (Short Film)
Damiano David – Funny Little Stories
Mac Miller – Balloonerism
Miley Cyrus – Something Beautiful
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
Video for Good
Burna Boy – Higher
Charli XCX – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish – WINNER
Doechii – Anxiety
Eminem Featuring Jelly Roll – Somebody Save Me
Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco – Younger and Hotter Than Me
Zach Hood Featuring Sasha Alex Sloan – Sleepwalking
Best Direction
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Charli XCX – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra – WINNER
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Best Art Direction
Charli XCX – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra – WINNER
Lorde – Man of the Year
Miley Cyrus – End of the World
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Best Cinematography
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us – WINNER
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Miley Cyrus – Easy Lover
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Best Editing
Charli XCX – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Ed Sheeran – Sapphire
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1® the Movie) – WINNER
Tate McRae earned her first two Moon Persons
Best Choreography
Doechii – Anxiety – WINNER
FKA twigs – Eusexua
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Tyla – Push 2 Start
Zara Larsson – Pretty Ugly
Best Visual Effects
Ariana Grande – Brighter Days Ahead
Lady Gaga – Abracadabra
Rosé & Bruno Mars – Apt.
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild – WINNER
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1® the Movie)
The Weeknd – Hurry Up Tomorrow
Best Group
Aespa
All Time Low
Backstreet Boys
Blackpink – WINNER
Coldplay
Evanescence
Fuerza Regida
Grupo Frontera
Imagine Dragons
Jonas Brothers
Katseye
The Marías
My Chemical Romance
Seventeen
Stray Kids
Twenty One Pilots
Song of the Summer
Addison Rae – Headphones On
Alex Warren – Ordinary
Benson Boone – Mystical Magical
BigXthaPlug & Bailey Zimmerman – All the Way
Chappell Roan – The Subway
Demi Lovato – Fast
Doja Cat – Jealous Type
Huntr/x – Golden
Jessie Murph – Blue Strips
Justin Bieber – Daisies
Moliy, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea – Shake It to the Max (Fly) (Remix)
Morgan Wallen & Tate McRae – What I Want
Ravyn Lenae Featuring Rex Orange County – Love Me Not
Sabrina Carpenter – Manchild
Sombr – 12 to 12
Tate McRae – Just Keep Watching (From F1® the Movie) – WINNER
MTV Video Vanguard Award: Mariah Carey – WINNER
Mariah Carey earned her first ever VMA as she was honored with Video Vanguard
Latin Icon Award: Ricky Martin – WINNER
Rock The Bells Visionary Award: Busta Rhymes – WINNER
