Sabrina Carpenter’s BRIT Awards Performance Ignites Outrage — and She Has the Perfect Clapback!

London, UK – Sabrina Carpenter’s opening performance at the 2025 BRIT Awards on March 1 ignited both applause and controversy with its provocative flair. The 25-year-old pop star, behind hits like Espresso and Bed Chem, addressed critics head-on, stating, “If you can’t handle a girl who’s confident in her sexuality, don’t come to my show.”

Carpenter launched the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena with a high-energy medley, starting in a red sparkly blazer dress adorned with Union Jack motifs, then stripping to a red lingerie set for a sultry Bed Chem performance on a giant pink bed. The pre-9 p.m. ITV broadcast drew 929 Ofcom complaints, with parents calling it “inappropriate” for family viewing. One viewer posted on X, “Not suitable before 9 p.m.! It’s family time.” Another fumed, “As a dad of young girls, I’m livid at #BRITs2025’s opening.”

Unfazed, Carpenter told The Sun, “Female artists have always been shamed—Rihanna in the 2000s, Britney in the ’90s, Madonna in the ’80s. Now it’s me.” She argued that criticizing her lyrics, outfits, or performances is “regressive” and stifles female expression. Her fans agreed, flooding X with support. One wrote, “Sabrina’s BRITs performance triggering complaints is peak fun—why so serious, UK?” Another praised, “She owned the stage! #BRITs2025.” Carpenter’s playful Instagram post, “I now know what watershed is!!!!,” charmed supporters further.

The performance wasn’t just controversial—it was historic. Carpenter became the first international artist to win the Global Success Award, presented by Millie Bobby Brown. Accepting the honor, she reflected, “Ten years ago, I came to the UK unknown. Now I’m headlining the O2 because of you.” She thanked fans for “streaming Espresso in a tea-drinking country,” earning laughs.

The backlash underscores ongoing debates about female artists’ freedom. A Her Campus writer noted, “Sabrina’s not scandalous—she’s confident, cheeky, and unapologetic.” Despite critics like Stock Aitken Waterman calling her lyrics “lazy,” Carpenter’s recent GRAMMY wins for Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Solo Performance prove her staying power. Her Short n’ Sweet tour continues to sell out, cementing her as a voice for bold self-expression.

Carpenter’s stance is clear: her shows celebrate confidence and autonomy. As she navigates fame, she draws inspiration from trailblazers like Madonna, refusing to tone down her artistry. For fans, her BRITs performance was a triumph of empowerment. For detractors, it’s a challenge to rethink outdated norms. Either way, Sabrina Carpenter is here to stay—unapologetically herself.