Sabrina Carpenter is considering a new rule for her concerts that she knows will ‘piss off’ fans.
As the 26-year-old singer gears up to release her provocative new album Man’s Best Friend, she’s not just fending off backlash over the racy cover art, she’s also weighing making a major change at her shows.
The Espresso hitmaker recently sparked intense online debate after unveiling the artwork for Man’s Best Friend, out August 29.
In one of the images shared to Instagram, Carpenter kneels in a black minidress and heels, lifting a hand toward a man’s trouser leg as he looms above her, gripping a fistful of her hair.
A second image zooms in on a dog collar bearing the album’s title. The photos split fans, with some hailing the bold visuals and tongue-in-cheek satire, while others called them ‘disturbing’ and ‘uncomfortable.’
Now, as speculation swirls that her sharp new single Manchild may be aimed at ex-boyfriend Barry Keoghan, Carpenter is contemplating another headline-grabbing move: banning phones at her shows.
‘This will honestly piss off my fans, but absolutely,’ she said of the idea of requiring phones to be locked in pouches, a tactic used by artists like Bob Dylan, Adele, and Madonna to help fans stay more present at concerts.
‘Because I went to see Silk Sonic in Vegas, and they locked my phone. I’ve never had a better experience at a concert. I genuinely felt like I was back in the Seventies’ she told Rolling Stone.
‘Genuinely felt like I was there. Everyone’s singing, dancing, looking at each other, and laughing. It really, really just felt so beautiful.’
Carpenter, who came of age during the iPhone era, admits the omnipresence of phones at concerts feels normal but less than ideal.
‘I can’t blame people for wanting to have memories. But depending on how long I want to be touring, and what age I am, girl, take those phones away. You cannot zoom in on my face. Right now, my skin is soft and supple. It’s fine. Do not zoom in on me when I’m 80 years old up there.’
Sabrina has had a more tense relationship with her fans than usual recently, as many posted critiques of the new album cover. S
She hit back recently after a Twitter user questioned whether she has ‘a personality outside of sex’.
Without skipping a beat, she quoted the post to add: ‘Girl yes and it is goooooood.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
