At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, Sabrina Carpenter didn’t just sing—she staged a cultural moment.
Her performance of “Tears” fused pop spectacle with political urgency, transforming the stage into a vibrant declaration of solidarity with the trans and queer community.
A Protest Disguised as Pop Theater
Emerging dramatically from a manhole on a neon New York-style set, Carpenter kicked off the act with cinematic flair. Moments later, drag queens and trans performers joined her, electrifying the stage with bold choreography and unapologetic visibility. The scene was soon filled with protest placards reading “In Trans We Trust,” “Protect Trans Rights,” “Support Local Drag,” and “Dolls, Dolls, Dolls”—an unmistakable stand for inclusion and dignity.
Water cascaded across the stage in perfectly timed sequences, echoing legendary pop visuals but layered with new meaning: joy and resistance dancing hand in hand.
Pop With a Purpose
Carpenter’s VMAs set wasn’t a stunt—it was an extension of her ongoing activism. With slogans like “Protect the Dolls” flashing across screens, the performance doubled as a rallying cry. Observers described the duality as “meant to inspire both dancing and resistance.”
One outlet captured it best: Sabrina had used her performance not just to entertain but to spotlight drag artists, elevate queer voices, and demand recognition.
Fans Respond: “This Is How You Use Your Platform”
Viewers erupted online, praising Carpenter for weaving protest into artistry:
“Thank you Sabrina Carpenter FOR THAT PERFORMANCE and standing up for the trans community… PROTECT THE DOLLS.”
“THIS is how you use your platform.”
Against a backdrop of mounting political attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, her bold staging felt both celebratory and urgent.
Accolades and Advocacy Hand in Hand
The night also crowned Carpenter with major wins: Best Pop Artist, Best Album (Short n’ Sweet), and Best Visual Effects. But even while accepting awards, she turned the spotlight back to others—thanking the “queens on stage with me tonight” and reflecting on how music creates light, belonging, and togetherness.
The Takeaway
Sabrina Carpenter’s VMAs performance was more than a set—it was a statement. By marrying glittering spectacle with fearless protest, she reminded the world that pop music doesn’t just entertain; it can challenge, uplift, and unite.
