Sabrina Carpenter Claps Back at Critics over Suggestive Lyrics and Image: “It’s Not My Fault That I Got a Job When I Was 12”

Sabrina Carpenter has addressed the backlash she has faced for including s**** references in her songs. The singer, who first gained fame on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World, says some of the criticism comes from people who still see her as a childhood figure.

“I think it wouldn’t matter so much if I wasn’t a childhood figure for some people,” Carpenter told reporters. “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.”

Carpenter explained that her young fans are capable of understanding her lyrics at their own pace. She also reflected on her own experiences, saying she looked up to female artists who sang about s** and never felt it forced her to grow up too quickly.

“I always thought, ‘When I grow up, then I get to embrace my se***** more. I don’t even know what that means yet!’ … I wish I’d had more open conversations about all of it when I was younger, but people feel too scared to talk about it.”

The singer also addressed the perception that she says or does anything without limits. “No. I really do have boundaries with myself — you’d be surprised! I’m just actually living my life, and you’re watching. If you don’t like it, it’s not for you. If you do like it, let’s play.”

Carpenter emphasized that she wants to look back on this period of her life knowing she was honest and confident in expressing herself. “I want to remember this as a time in my life when I really didn’t hold back. I wore the skirts I wanted to wear; I spoke about things in a way that I won’t regret, because I was very open. I think that’s all that matters.”

She also joked about her petite stature, noting, “Every half-inch counts,” and shared that her music career remains her top priority. “Music is always going to be my true No. 1, but there’s something really special about playing an incredible role. So I would say No. 1 is music and No. 1½ is acting.”

Carpenter has been criticized mainly because she started as a child star, and some fans struggle to separate the person she was at 12 from the adult she is today. Her music, which openly explores s****, challenges those expectations, prompting reactions from people who find it surprising or inappropriate.

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