At just 25 years old, Sabrina Carpenter has emerged as a multi-talented force in the entertainment industry. Though she seemingly burst onto the scene this year, the Grammy-nominated pop star has been performing since childhood.
A few years ago, Sabrina was best known as a Disney star, playing Maya Hart on Girl Meets World. During this time, she signed with Hollywood Records and began building her music career. While continuing to act, Sabrina increasingly focused on her passion for music.
Her dedication paid off in 2021 when she signed with Universal Music Group’s Island Records. There, she released her first mature album, Emails I Can’t Send, marking a turning point in her career.
Over the next few years, Sabrina established herself as a rising star in the pop world, with hits like “Because I Liked a Boy” and “Feather.” Then came 2024—a career-defining year that cemented her status as a household name.
Here, we take a look at the moments that shaped the rise of pop’s newest princess.
Friends In High Places
Sabrina Carpenter’s golden year began with a bang—opening for her idol, Taylor Swift, during the South American and Australasian legs of the Eras Tour. Australian Swifties were treated to Sabrina performing hits from her Emails I Can’t Send album before Taylor took the stage.
A career highlight came when Sabrina performed at Melbourne’s MCG, the largest stadium on the entire tour. Fans affectionately compare the duo to Barbie and Polly Pocket, and their bond was on full display in Sydney, where they sang together. Sabrina also made a surprise appearance at Taylor’s second New Orleans show in October, joining her for a mashup of their songs.
In an interview with Variety, Sabrina gushed about her friendship with Taylor: “She’s one of my best, best friends, and we grab dinner or text and catch up like you would with your best friend.” Oh, to be a fly on the wall with Tay and Brina!
Summer Smash
Sabrina’s career skyrocketed with the release of her hit single, “Espresso,” the first track from her upcoming album. As energising and irresistible as its namesake, the song quickly climbed the charts, achieving platinum status and earning Sabrina her first number one hit in multiple countries, including Australia.
Playfully referencing Sabrina’s petite stature and fiery energy—“short and hot, just like an espresso”—the song became a cultural moment. Now, it’s up for Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards in February. Could this be Sabrina’s first Grammy win? Fingers crossed!
Desert Heat
In April, Sabrina Carpenter brought the heat to Palm Springs, performing at the iconic Coachella music festival. While she wasn’t a headliner, her ’60s motel-inspired set and adorable outfits captured the attention of both social media and news outlets, giving her the spotlight of a main act.
With her single “Espresso” freshly climbing the charts, the crowd of 125,000 enthusiastically sang along to the catchy hit. Sabrina ended her set with “Nonsense,” cheekily adding a raunchy nod to her then-boyfriend, Barry Keoghan, who was in the audience. She closed with a bold proclamation: “Coachella, see you back here when I headline!” It seems like just a matter of time.
Off To The Ball
Sabrina’s year-long romance with Irish actor Barry Keoghan made headlines in 2024. The couple, looking stunning in coordinated outfits, debuted their relationship at the Met Gala in May. Sabrina, dressed in Oscar de la Renta, and Barry, star of Saltburn, even invited Vogue to document their glamorous preparation.
Barry also made a cameo in the music video for Sabrina’s second single from Short N’ Sweet, “Please, Please, Please.” But with the pair reportedly splitting later in the year, it seems Barry might have overlooked the song’s not-so-subtle message!
Live From New York
Landing a spot on Saturday Night Live is a dream for any entertainer, and Sabrina’s appearance as a musical guest alongside host Jake Gyllenhaal proved she’s officially a household name.
Not content to just perform, Sabrina showcased her comedic chops in a hilarious Scooby-Doo-inspired skit, leaving fans clamouring for her to return as both host and performer. With her talent and humour, it’s only a matter of time before she does double duty on SNL.
Model Moment
After impressing at the Met Gala, Sabrina’s fashion star continued to rise. She walked the runway at the Vogue World fashion show in Paris, rocking a retro-inspired swimsuit by Jacquemus—a nod to her Espresso music video aesthetic.
Adding to her style credentials, Sabrina sat front row at Loewe and Givenchy fashion shows and became the face of Prada’s new lipstick and Versace eyewear campaigns.
Fly Me To The Moon
In September, Sabrina made a splash at the MTV VMAs in New York, dazzling in Madonna’s iconic 1991 Bob Mackie gown. Her performance was unforgettable—arriving on a glittering swing, dancing with spacemen, and even sharing a kiss with an alien.
She capped the night with a win for Song of the Year with “Espresso.” In her heartfelt acceptance speech, Sabrina thanked her fans, saying, “You are the reason I get to do what I love.” She ended with a cheeky nod to her hit, adding, “…and thank you to me, espresso!”
Name In Lights
Starting the year as a seasoned support act, Sabrina became a full-fledged superstar by September, kicking off her own headline arena tour across the U.S. to promote Short N’ Sweet.
Her shows featured Victoria’s Secret-inspired costumes, playful “Juno”-themed moments, and viral-worthy fashion that had TikTok buzzing. Next, Sabrina is heading to Europe, and fans around the globe are hoping Australia is on her itinerary.
Caught That Holiday Glee
Sabrina ended her phenomenal year with her own Netflix Christmas special. Joined by country legend Shania Twain and pop stars Chappell Roan and Tyla, she performed a mix of classic carols and tracks from her holiday-themed EP, Fruitcake.
True to her style, Sabrina brought a mix of emotion and fun, singing a heartfelt ballad before transitioning to a lively, cheeky finale with A Nonsense Christmas. “You didn’t think I’d leave you crying on Christmas, did you?” she quipped. Of course not, Sabrina!
To read more about Sabrina, and the rest of her pop princess posse (Olivia, Charli, Ariana, Billie and more), grab the latest issue of Girlfriend magazine, on sale now.
