By: Malgorzata (Gosia) Gorska
This year, pop music has seen a rise in female stars like Chappell Roan, Addison Rae, and Tyla. Yet, it’s hard to disagree that 2024 belongs to none other than the shortest and sweetest – Sabrina Carpenter. Not long after opening for Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, the release of her sixth album Short and Sweet, and three singles climbing to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Carpenter’s career skyrocketed in a remarkably short time. Notably, with her hit song “Espresso”. In September she launched her biggest tour yet – an arena tour visiting the U.S., Europe, and Canada. But don’t let this fool you, her success didn’t come overnight; it’s been a journey filled with perseverance, creativity, and growth.
Only some people know that Sabrina has been in the music scene for over a decade. She first caught the public’s eye as a child contestant in Miley Cyrus’s “Best of Both Worlds” contest, where she placed second. This led to an audition for Disney Channel, resulting in her iconic role as Maya Hart in Girl Meets World. This show not only gave her a fanbase but also showcased her talents in both acting and music, as she performed the opening theme song alongside co-star Rowan Blanchard. Her time at Disney was fundamental for her music career as she signed a five-album deal with Hollywood Records at just 15 years old. As she followed in the footsteps of artists like Selena Gomez and Miley Cyrus, some wondered if this was the best move for her. She is still asking herself that question as it created issues for her throughout her career.
Not long after signing her record deal, she was dissatisfied with the music she was creating. Her albums struggled to gain the desired audience and she encountered issues with her management, ultimately leading her to fire them. This incident with her managers inspired her song “Sue Me.” In 2019, she made a bold move to Universal Music and Island Records and landed the role of Cady Heron in Mean Girls on Broadway, sharing the stage with fellow pop star Renee Rapp. Unfortunately, the pandemic interrupted her plans to pivot from her Disney association, but she channeled her experiences into her fifth album, Emails I Can’t Send. Debuting at number 23, she marked her transition away from her Disney Era. The album reflected her struggles, including her rumored relationship with Joshua Bassett. With the album’s success, she held a theater tour throughout North America and Europe. As she launched her tour, Carpenter unknowingly started a viral trend on social media by creating unique outros for her hit song “Nonsense,” which quickly became a hot topic in the pop music scene. However, it was her acclaimed single “Espresso,” awarded Song of the Year at the VMAs, that truly cemented her status and kicked off her Short and Sweet era.
Now, Sabrina is captivating audiences across the United States with her sold-out stadium tour, featuring songs from her latest albums, stunning costume changes, and a show designed like a sitcom set in a luxurious penthouse. Fans dress in trendy outfits, eager to enjoy a night of singing along to tracks like “Bad Chem” and “Juno.” With her tour in full swing, her song “Espresso” getting a sketch on SNL, her status as the 11th most-listened artist on Spotify with 79 million active monthly listeners, and a surprise guest performance with Taylor Swift in New Orleans, Carpenter is the most talked-about artist in the music industry right now.
As Carpenter’s career is only getting started fans are left wondering: what surprises does this pop princess have up her sleeve? Are we in for a world tour? Will there be a long-awaited collaboration with Olivia Rodrigo? Or perhaps a new romance? Whatever comes next, Sabrina Carpenter has certainly earned her time to shine after a decade of hard work, and we can’t wait to see what she has in store for us.
