Sabrina Carpenter has revealed alternative artwork "approved by God" for her new album after the original cover sparked controversy. Earlier in June, the Espresso singer shared art for her album, Man's Best Friend, which shows her on her hands and knees in a black minidress with a suited man grabbing her hair. The photo prompted a heated debate, with some arguing that it pandered to the male gaze and promoted misogynistic stereotypes. On Wednesday, the pop princess posted two less contentious black-and-white images of herself holding a suited man's arm, with the caption: "Here is a new alternate cover approved by God." Users responding to Carpenter's post on Instagram included fellow pop star Katy Perry, who simply replied: "Gahahahaha." Those criticising the initial artwork included Glasgow Women's Aid, a charity supporting victims of domestic abuse, which said it was "regressive" and "promotes an element of violence and control". Not everyone was against it, and some defended the singer, explaining that the image was satirical. "There's a deeper meaning, portraying how the public views her, believing she is just for the male gaze,"a fan wrote on X. But Heather Binning of Women's Rights Network, told the BBC that violence against women should "never be used as satire". Many of Carpenter's fans are young women, and Ms Binning said the imagery "grooms girls to believe that it is a fun, casual, sexy thing to submit to men's sexual (sometimes sexually violent) desires". On social media, some also criticised Carpenter for the timing, suggesting the image was not appropriate given the current political climate in the US. "Women's control over their bodies are being taken away in the US and this is kind of insensitive," one user wrote on Instagram. Professor Catherine Rottenberg from Goldsmiths University of London said that regardless of how the artwork should be interpreted, Carpenter was "fanning the flames of controversy in order to sell her brand". "Debates around representation that this album has already generated will likely mean more sales, more popularity, and more traction," she told the BBC. It is not the first time the 26-year-old's music has sparked an outcry. Carpenter has built her brand around fun and risque pop music, and her sexual lyrics, X-rated ad-lib Nonsense outros and provocative performances regularly cause a stir. At the Brit Awards in March, media watchdog Ofcom received 825 complaints, with the majority involving Carpenter's pre-watershed opening performance that saw her wearing a red sparkly military-style mini-dress with matching stockings and suspenders. She was also seen having a close encounter with a dancer dressed as a soldier wearing a bearskin hat during the show, which was broadcast live on ITV. Lucy Ford, a culture critic, previously told the BBC that Carpenter is "in on the joke" when she performs. "Sabrina is being unabashedly horny in her music and it feels like an embrace of fun and silliness and not taking things too seriously." Man's Best Friend is Carpenter's seventh studio album and will be released on 29 August.
Sabrina Carpenter reveals new album art 'approved by God' after outcry
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"Sabrina Carpenter Reveals Alternative Album Artwork Following Controversy Over Original Cover"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Sabrina Carpenter has recently unveiled alternative artwork for her upcoming album, 'Man's Best Friend', which she claims is 'approved by God', following backlash over the original cover. The initial artwork featured Carpenter in a provocative pose, on her hands and knees in a black minidress, while a suited man tugged at her hair. This imagery ignited a significant debate surrounding its implications, with critics arguing that it perpetuated misogynistic stereotypes and catered to the male gaze. Organizations like Glasgow Women's Aid condemned the image as regressive and potentially harmful, stating that it glorified violence and control over women. Supporters of Carpenter, however, defended the artwork as a satirical commentary on societal perceptions of her and similar artists, suggesting that it was meant to provoke thought rather than endorse the behavior depicted. Nevertheless, the controversy was heightened by the current socio-political climate regarding women's rights in the United States, leading some to question the appropriateness of the imagery at this time.
In response to the backlash, Carpenter shared two new black-and-white images that are less controversial, showcasing her in a more subdued manner holding a man's arm. The post elicited various reactions on social media, including a light-hearted comment from fellow pop star Katy Perry. Critics like Heather Binning from the Women's Rights Network reiterated that using such imagery as satire could normalize harmful behaviors among young women, who make up a significant portion of Carpenter's fanbase. Additionally, Professor Catherine Rottenberg remarked that the ongoing debates surrounding the album's artwork could inadvertently boost Carpenter's popularity and sales. This is not the first time Carpenter has faced scrutiny; her performances and lyrics often toe the line of risqué, prompting complaints from viewers and commentators alike. Her latest album, 'Man's Best Friend', is set to release on August 29, and it appears that both the music and its promotional materials will continue to stir conversation and controversy.
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