Sabrina Carpenter Makes Clear Choice Between Music and Acting for Her 'True No. 1' Madz DizonDecember 4, 2025 at 3:13 AM 0 Sabrina Carpenter is making it crystal clear: music comes first. The 26yearold pop superstar and actress recently opened up to Variety about balancing her soaring music career with her acting pursuits. Carpenter, who first captured audiences as Maya Hart on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World, has spent 2025 cementing her status as one of pop music's most daring and influential voices. Her seventh studio album, Man's Best Friend, released in August, debuted at No.
- - Sabrina Carpenter Makes Clear Choice Between Music and Acting for Her 'True No. 1'
Madz DizonDecember 4, 2025 at 3:13 AM
0
Sabrina Carpenter is making it crystal clear: music comes first. The 26-year-old pop superstar and actress recently opened up to Variety about balancing her soaring music career with her acting pursuits.
Carpenter, who first captured audiences as Maya Hart on Disney Channel's Girl Meets World, has spent 2025 cementing her status as one of pop music's most daring and influential voices. Her seventh studio album, Man's Best Friend, released in August, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and saw all 12 tracks enter the Hot 100 singles chart, earning platinum certification by November.
"I'm really grateful that people have been receptive of me being in their faces for a little bit too long," Carpenter told Variety, reflecting on her relentless year of performances and public appearances.
Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York.(Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagicSabrina Carpenter Overcomes Public Expectations
Carpenter's journey from child star to adult artist hasn't been without scrutiny. Known for her provocative lyrics and daring stage presence, the singer has faced backlash from fans who struggle to reconcile her Disney past with her adult image.
"I think it wouldn't matter so much if I wasn't a childhood figure for some people," she explained. "But I also can't really help that. It's not my fault that I got a job when I was 12 and you won't let me evolve."
Her Man's Best Friend album cover, which shows her on her hands and knees with a fistful of her hair held by an anonymous man, sparked criticism for being "degrading to women."
Carpenter defended the artwork, noting, "It was about how people try to control women, and how I felt emotionally yanked around by these relationships that I had, and how much power you're allowing yourself to give them."
Despite controversy, she says the album's reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
While Carpenter continues to act, her heart remains with music.
View this post on Instagram
"Music is always going to be my true No. 1, but there's something really special about playing an incredible role," she said. "So I would say No. 1 is music and No. 1½ is acting."
This balance is evident in her achievements: she headlined Coachella 2026, performed a sold-out residency at Madison Square Garden, appeared on Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl and picked up multiple Grammy nominations.
Collaborations with songwriters like Amy Allen and producers Jack Antonoff and John Ryan have allowed Carpenter to evolve her sound while maintaining her signature mix of vulnerability, humor, and sensuality.
Tracks like "Manchild" and "Go Go Juice" showcase her ability to merge pop storytelling with adult themes, demonstrating her growth beyond her Disney image.
Despite her daring choices, Carpenter continues to connect with fans authentically, proving that evolving as an artist doesn't require abandoning one's roots.
Related: Sabrina Carpenter Blames Disney Channel Past For Backlash Over Her Provocative Lyrics
This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the Celebs section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: December 04, 2025 at 07:36AM on Source: ANDY MAG
#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle