Sabrina Carpenter’s Identity Crisis Amidst Transformation for Fame

Sabrina Carpenter, a 25-year-old singer and former Disney star, reportedly faced challenges adapting to her evolving public persona, which she described as feeling like “playing a character.” Insiders have attributed this transformation to guidance from record label executives keen on boosting her career to levels comparable to fellow pop stars.

Since joining Island Records in 2021, Carpenter has enjoyed a surge in popularity, marking her breakthrough with chart-topping singles such as “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” Nevertheless, sources suggest that the key to her recent success lies in embracing a provocative image, a departure from her previous wholesome Disney persona.

“She didn’t connect with a mass audience, and drastic changes needed to be made,” an anonymous source told DailyMail.com. “With a new record label and management, she was guided to shift her image entirely, selling herself as a ‘sexpot’.”

The contrast between her private and public personas is notable. While Carpenter publicly sports revealing outfits and sings risqué lyrics, sources close to her reveal she feels most comfortable in casual attire, preferring quiet nights at home watching Netflix.

“Behind closed doors, she wears sweats, minimal make-up, and enjoys staying home,” the source noted, adding that Carpenter’s transformation was particularly challenging, considering her Disney background, akin to other former Disney stars before her.

Despite sensing a disconnect between her true self and public image, Carpenter has maintained her determination to succeed, akin to notorious transformations by artists like Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. Citing the financial realities of the industry, another insider commented, “Sabrina knows that she has to accept becoming a commercial product to establish herself.”

This transformation coincided with a series of high-profile events, including her involvement in a publicized love triangle with Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett. Carpenter’s track “Skin,” perceived as a response to Rodrigo’s “Driver’s License,” fueled speculation about her personal life.

Her career milestones include being named as Taylor Swift‘s opening act for the Latin American and parts of the global Eras Tour. Her recent album, “Short n’ Sweet,” achieved platinum status, underscoring her persistent climb towards pop stardom. Despite this success, Carpenter continues to face criticism regarding her bold stage costumes, to which she has responded firmly by suggesting detractors avoid her shows.

In a recent interview for TIME Magazine‘s TIME100 Next list, Carpenter expressed her commitment to her stage presence, stating, “The scariest thing in the world is getting up on a stage in front of that many people and having to perform as if it’s nothing. If the one thing that helps you do that is the way you feel comfortable dressing, then that’s what you’ve got to do.”