Sabrina Carpenter unveils alternate album cover ‘approved by God’ for controversial new album

Published on 26/06/2025 - 10:38 GMT+2

‘Espresso’ vocalist Sabrina Carpenter has shared an alternate medium screen for her upcoming seventh workplace medium ‘Man’s Best Friend’, pursuing significant backlash for nan original artwork.

Carpenter posted nan caller screen and cheekily added that this 2nd return is “approved by God” - a reference to nan pearl-clutching accusations of sexism aft nan merchandise of nan first image, which depicts nan creator kneeling connected nan level arsenic an unidentified personification stands complete her and pulls her hair.

Some criticised nan suggestive – but hardly definitive - cover, changeable by Bryce Anderson, arsenic being “regressive” and leaning connected “tired tropes that trim women to pets.”

Others defended nan Grammy-winning artist’s choice, saying it was satirical and a commentary connected powerfulness dynamics. Or arsenic 1 viral postput it: “Let women beryllium horny.” 

We said successful our 20 Most Controversial Album Covers Of All Time article that Carpenter “has each correct to definitive herself and her sexuality – successful this lawsuit what immoderate whitethorn comprehend arsenic a submissive kink - successful immoderate measurement she sees fresh and crucially, without being policed aliases harassed.” 

Still, now fans person options – pinch a achromatic and achromatic photograph of Carpenter leaning connected a suited man. It’s a gorgeous image. If somewhat little playful.  

Here is nan original – and arguable cover:  

And here’s nan alternate:  

This is not nan first clip Carpenter has received complaints astir her MO, which has ever been pop-horniness and a desire to region herself from nan self-seriousness of nan existent popular landscape.

Carpenter’s unrecorded performances often spot nan vocalist clasp her sexuality, playfully striking suggestive poses. This twelvemonth astatine nan BRIT Awards, nan singer's racy capacity proved controversial, prompting immoderate viewers to joke astir OFCOM complaints.

Some viewers expressed that nan provocative moments were “unnecessary”, pinch 1 spectator writing: “It’s for illustration watching unrecorded pornography. It’s expected to beryllium a family show.” 

Despite nan controversies, Carpenter refuses to beryllium shamed, and has responded to disapproval by saying: “My connection has ever been clear – if you can’t grip a woman who is assured successful her ain sexuality, past don’t travel to my shows.” 

“It’s ever truthful funny to maine erstwhile group complain,” she told Rolling Stone. “They’re like, ‘All she does is singing astir this.’ But those are nan songs that you’ve made popular. Clearly you emotion sex. You’re obsessed pinch it.” 

Carpenter added: “I don’t want to beryllium pessimistic, but I genuinely consciousness for illustration I’ve ne'er lived successful a clip wherever women person been picked isolated more, and scrutinized successful each capacity. I’m not conscionable talking astir me. I’m talking astir each female creator that is making creation correct now.”

Elsewhere, nan leader of a New York City religion wherever nan popular prima filmed “provocative” scenes for a euphony video was stripped of his duties past year aft religion officials said an investigation revealed different instances of mismanagement. 

That portion was hardly Carpenter's fault.

Sabrina Carpenter’s caller album, ‘Man’s Best Friend’, drops connected 29 August. It comes conscionable 1 twelvemonth aft nan world occurrence of her medium ‘Short n’ Sweet’ - which features nan chart-topping hits ‘Espresso’, ‘Taste’ and ‘Please Please Please’. 

Check retired our article connected nan 20 Most Controversial Album Covers Of All Time.