Sabrina Carpenter responds to scandal over being 'scrutinized' for racy songs, album cover
Sabrina Carpenter is talking fame, her evolving artistry and criticism ahead of the release of her new (and already controversial) album, "Man's Best Friend."
The pop hitmaker, known for her suggestive lyrics, dismissed scrutiny over expressing her sexuality in a new cover story with Rolling Stone published June 12, arguing that the attention around her racy songs says more about the audience than about her.
"It's always so funny to me when people complain. They're like, 'All she does is sing about this.' But those are the songs that you've made popular," she told the outlet. "Clearly you love sex. You're obsessed with it."
Although the "Espresso" singer confidently brushed off the criticism, she still shared dismay over the constant backlash women in music face today.
"I truly feel like I've never lived in a time where women have been picked apart more, and scrutinized in every capacity," she later added. "I'm not just talking about me. I'm talking about every female artist that is making art right now."
Sabrina Carpenter talks single life amid rumored Barry Koeghan split
Elsewhere in the interview, Carpenter stayed coy about her dating life, neither explicitly confirming nor denying being single. "Am I doing the single thing right now?" she said.
"I'm doing the 25-year-old thing right now, whatever that means," the now 26-year-old continued.
Along with "Man's Best Friend," Carpenter released her latest single, "Manchild," this month. The music video for the synth-pop track drew buzz on social media for Carpenter's bold look, which consisted of a white button-up, baby blue heels and denim "micro" shorts, as well as intrigue over who the lyrics might be about. Some fans suggested Barry Koeghan, who was previously romantically linked to the singer.
Asked by Rolling Stone which ex the song is about, though, Carpenter quipped: "It's about your dad."
She did however address the pressure that women are under while dating in the spotlight, lamenting the often one-sided scrutiny that seems reserved just for women.
"People underestimate how tricky it is to navigate being a young woman, having relationships, and then having a bunch of strangers have opinions on them," she said. "If they had the same microscope on their personal lives, I don't think they'd be as eloquently spoken as me. I know it's a tale as old as time. It's just unfortunate that it's still a tale."
Contributing: Edward Segarra