Sabrina Carpenter Reveals Alternate Album Cover “Approved by God” After Online Controversy
Sabrina Carpenter has responded to the buzz surrounding her upcoming album Man’s Best Friend by dropping an alternate album cover—and according to her, it’s “approved by God.”The pop star unveiled the new artwork Wednesday morning, featuring a black-and-white shot of Carpenter striking a glamorous pose while clinging to a suited man, with other men appearing blurred in the background.
In the caption, Carpenter playfully referenced the previous backlash by writing that this new version is officially "approved by God," hinting at the storm of opinions the original image stirred online.
The Original Cover: Why It Sparked Debate
When Man’s Best Friend was first announced weeks ago, the original cover showed Carpenter on her knees in a fitted black dress, while a man—possibly her in disguise—stood off-frame clutching her hair. The imagery drew sharp reactions online, fueling debates over sex-positive feminism, artistic expression, and the male gaze.Critics argued that the photo was provocative in a way that reinforced submissive female tropes, while others defended it as a bold reclamation of sensuality.
Carpenter Responds to Critics
Even before the backlash exploded, Carpenter addressed the way her music and performances are perceived, especially in light of her rising pop profile with hits like “Espresso.”“It’s always so funny to me when people complain,” she told Rolling Stone in a recent interview. “They’re like, ‘All she does is sing about this.’ But those are the songs that you’ve made popular. Clearly you love sex. You’re obsessed with it. It’s in my show.”
She also noted the increasing scrutiny faced by female artists today: “It truly feels like I’ve never lived in a time where women have been picked apart more and scrutinized in every capacity.”
“Man’s Best Friend” Continues the Conversation
Whether fans love it, critique it, or repost it a thousand times, Man’s Best Friend has already become one of the most talked-about releases of the year—and it hasn’t even dropped yet.The alternate cover suggests Carpenter is leaning into the controversy with confidence and humor—owning the conversation rather than running from it.
Sabrina Carpenter’s new album Man’s Best Friend is set to ignite even more discussion when it officially releases later this year. Will the alternate cover silence the critics—or spark even more discourse?
