Sabrina Carpenter explains meaning behind her controversial album cover

Sabrina Carpenter is clarifying the intention behind her Man’s Best Friend cover art.

In her defense, it was designed to reflect how she had been “emotionally yanked around” in past relationships, not to degrade women.

Carpenter, 26, has addressed the backlash in a new Variety Hitmakers cover story following the uproar in June over the album’s cover debut, which shows her on her hands and knees while an unidentified man pulls her hair. 

Critics argued the visual was demeaning, to which Carpenter acknowledged that some of those reactions were understandable.

“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,” she told the magazine.

Carpenter stressed that while she had a specific personal meaning in mind, she understood why others interpreted it differently. “It meant one thing to me and 100 things to other people… That’s valid. Mine’s valid,” she noted. 

She added that some criticisms raised “great points,” even though they weren’t aligned with her original message.

In the interview, the Espresso singer also reflected on her evolution and the way she approaches sexuality in her art. She recalled admiring women who sang openly about sex when she was young. “When I grow up, then I get to embrace my sexuality more,” she remembered thinking.

Carpenter also pushed back on the idea that she’s boundary-less or provocative for shock value. “People think, ‘Oh, she’ll say and do anything.’ No. I really do have boundaries with myself. You’d be surprised. I’m just actually living my life, and you’re watching.”

Despite the controversy, Man’s Best Friend debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, which Carpenter says was “the most beautiful reception.”