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, 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
+17
View gallery

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
+17
View gallery

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
+17
View gallery

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'
+17
View gallery

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'

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'
+17
View gallery

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'
+17
View gallery

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'
+17
View gallery

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
+17
View gallery

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

Artist of the Year: Lady Gaga

Best Collaboration: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile

Ariana Grande earned top honor Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead
+17
View gallery

Ariana Grande earned top honor Video of the Year for Brighter Days Ahead

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
+17
View gallery

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.