Sabrina Carpenter has come under fire from critics for a combination of two complex reasons – her looks promoting “girlhood” and her overt sexuality. An amalgamation of the two has led to a pile on regarding her work providing “pedophilic fantasy”. That escalated quickly.
According to Western beauty standards, the Espresso singer is about as close to perfection as you can get. She embodies all the facets of girlhood that we are told to pursue and covet from a young age: a petite figure, long blonde hair, long lashes, a feminine, youthful exterior accentuated by frilly, fussy clothes.
Even though Sabrina is a prime example of this feminine ideal, her expression of it is not necessarily met with praise. Often, she’s branded too much. Too girly, too suggestive, too sexual. It’s a tight-rope men don’t have to walk; the one between attaining validation and beauty and the backlash for using such tools in the wrong way.
Sabrina is not the first pop star to be criticised on the basis of her sexuality. Unfortunately, we’ve seen a long history of famous women – particularly pop stars – being vilified and hounded about their sexual identity, whether it’s made public or not.
A media campaign was made over Britney Spears‘ virginity, while stars such as Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez became caught up in Disney’s “purity culture” in the Noughties, which saw them and boy band the Jonas Brothers sport promise rings to convey that they had promised to not have sex before marriage. So, obsessions with a famous musician’s sexuality, and fan culture’s assumption that it’s our place to judge, have been around for a while.
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Miley Cyrus faced similar backlash when she pivoted to a more overtly sexual style and performance. After ditching her teen Hannah Montana persona, she was shamed for exploring her queer identity and how she displays her body on stage. Her decision to pose naked while straddling a wrecking ball for her 2013 music video saw her labelled a “bad role model” for fans.
