Music legend Carly Simon has stepped up to defend Sabrina Carpenter after backlash over the cover art for Carpenter’s upcoming album Man’s Best Friend.
The cover shows Carpenter kneeling beside a man in a suit, with her hand resting on his thigh while he holds a strand of her hair. Critics have called the image overly sexualized and anti-feminist.
But Simon doesn’t agree. She called the artwork “quite mild” and “tame,” especially compared to famous, provocative album covers from the past, like The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers. “She’s not engaging in anything extreme,” Simon said, adding that the image didn’t seem provocative to her at all.
While Simon admitted that “touching the man’s knee” might push some boundaries, she encouraged Carpenter not to worry about the criticism. “She’s stunning,” Simon said, and suggested that the backlash was overblown. Simon also pointed out that in the music world, even controversy can help an artist’s career.
Carpenter herself has responded by saying her work is more than just about sex. She explained that her music and performances use humor and confidence to explore deeper themes, not just surface-level sexuality. Carpenter also noted that criticism often makes her even more visible, helping her music reach more people.
Reactions to the cover remain divided. Some believe it’s a clever, satirical take on how women are treated by men. Others argue that it plays into harmful stereotypes. Supporters say Carpenter is using exaggerated imagery on purpose to take control of the narrative and show her confidence.
In the end, Carly Simon’s message is clear: Sabrina Carpenter should stand by her artistic choices, ignore the negativity, and embrace her creative freedom.
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