Sabrina Carpenter‘s racy efficiency on the BRIT Awards has proved controversial, prompting some viewers to joke about OFCOM complaints.
Carpenter had already been named as the recipient of the International Success Award going into the ceremony, and was additionally nominated for 2 additional prizes for Worldwide Artist Of The 12 months and Worldwide Music Of The 12 months for ‘Espresso’, however misplaced out to Chappell Roan for each.
Her set final evening (March 1) opened with a model of 2024 megahit ‘Espresso’, the place the singer was joined by a troop of dancing King’s Guards, with the pop singer incorporating strains of ‘Rule Britannia’ into the monitor. “Whats up Brits!” she declared as she descended the steps onto The O2 stage.
From there, she segued right into a seductive efficiency of ‘Mattress Chem’, dancing on a large pink mattress, alongside a workforce of backing dancers with their very own boudoirs. One alternative second that has proved controversial noticed her kneel in entrance of a male dancer, who winked on the digital camera as she disappeared offscreen.
She kicked off the evening earlier than the 9pm watershed, sparking social media debate about how applicable the efficiency was. Some, like one consumer on X/Twitter who known as it “iconic”, noticed the humorous aspect.
SABRINA CARPENTER 😭 pic.twitter.com/mAF72Kgjio
— 2000s (@PopCulture2000s) March 1, 2025
Others echoed the sentiment, writing: “Sabrina Carpenter doing Mattress Chem pre-watershed? The ofcom complaints about that efficiency are gonna be via the roof however I loved it. That’s my lady!”
Nonetheless, many expressed that the provocative moments had been “pointless”, with one viewer writing: “It’s like watching reside pornography. It’s purported to be a household present.” Take a look at extra social media reactions under.
Sabrina Carpenter doing Mattress Chem pre-watershed? The ofcom complaints about that efficiency are gonna be via the roof however I loved it. That’s my lady! #BRITs pic.twitter.com/nIXKCfp1FS
— mindironalia.bsky.social 🐝🇹🇿 (@mindironalia) March 1, 2025
Lol is that opening offensive to British folks?
— BADDEST ALIVE (@thetirekinge) March 1, 2025
Sabrina Carpenter has a beautiful voice & is a shocking girl, why on earth does she really feel the necessity to open her legs? It’s like watching reside pornography. It’s purported to be a household present! #TheBrits #BRITs #SabrinaCarpenter pic.twitter.com/Us4Fc7YC9O
— 𝓛𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓸𝓷 𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂 ❥🪬✡︎🕊 (@ThatLondonLady) March 1, 2025
It’s going to undoubtedly get complaints as a result of it was broadcast earlier than 9pm – which ITV knew and did it anyway 🤦♀️🤦♀️
— Tracey Davies (@miss_traceydav) March 2, 2025
It’s undoubtedly not meant to be a household present. Don’t you keep in mind the fights, drunken expletives, drugged up performances and so on prior to now. It’s toned down hundreds in the previous few years. It’s hardly reside pornography.. it’s very suggestive and attractive dancing.
— Gemma Marshall (@Gemma_sparkle) March 1, 2025
If this was a male singer with dancers sporting bras & suspenders there could be uproar (Robbie suffered this & his dancers had extra on) shouts of exploiting the ladies , why can #sabrinacarptener get away with it . @BRITAwards #Brits Wonderful staging
— Dave/David 🏴…🏳️🌈…🇪🇺…🇬🇧 (@therealdavewest) March 1, 2025
The tip she seems to ‘go down on’ the soldier. The Beefeaters are extremely revered and a stalwart of british navy historical past. So might not have been appreciated by some folks.
— Prophecy Woman (@LisaE102) March 2, 2025
Sure that’s offensive. The uniforms are consultant of our navy and to sexualise that is on my opinion offensive
— Hazza (@Hazzambagain) March 2, 2025
sabrina carpenter the girl that u are !!! she ate on the brits getting the center aged ladies pressed
— scar💝 LIV DAY (@enoughforlivies) March 1, 2025
She most likely does, however didn’t touch upon the outfit. Many artists put on leotards & bikinis which is ok. It’s the precise opening of the legs & sexual dance routine that I discover pointless in a music efficiency which younger youngsters watch.
— 𝓛𝓸𝓷𝓭𝓸𝓷 𝓛𝓪𝓭𝔂 ❥🪬✡︎🕊 (@ThatLondonLady) March 1, 2025
Carpenter has addressed the best way she leverages sexuality in her exhibits, having just lately hit out at Mike Inventory, Matt Aitken and Pete Waterman’s feedback about her, after Waterman named her as somebody whose picture he thought-about detrimental to ladies in an interview with The Solar, saying: “Should you’re asking to be revered, don’t come on in a G-string,” earlier than Inventory dismissed Carpenter’s sexualised lyrics as “lazy”.
The ‘Please, Please, Please’ singer then responded in a follow-up interview with The Solar on Sunday, saying: “My message has all the time been clear – should you can’t deal with a woman who’s assured in her personal sexuality, then don’t come to my exhibits.”
She added that ladies being judged on their look “isn’t one thing new”, saying: “Feminine artists have been shamed without end. Within the noughties it was Rihanna, within the nineties it was Britney Spears, within the eighties it was Madonna – and now it’s me. It’s basically saying that feminine performers shouldn’t be in a position to embrace their sexuality of their lyrics, in the best way we costume, in the best way we carry out.
“It’s completely regressive. It’s like those that wish to disgrace don’t make feedback after I speak about self-care or physique positivity or heartbreak, that are all regular issues a 25-year-old goes via. They simply wish to discuss concerning the sexual aspect of my performances.”
