From retired Disney Channel star to pop sensation, Sabrina Carpenter is not shying away from the crowd anytime soon. With bangers, pop culture moments on SNL, and a new voice altogether, Carpenter has officially entered her Hot Girl Pop Era. But how did she get here?
Sabrina Carpenter’s Beginnings
Sabrina Carpenter has been in the spotlight for a while. However, her breakout role as Maya Heart on Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World is what truly put her on the map. Carpenter was cast in the show when she was only 13 years old and quickly became the relatable, yet rebellious best friend we always wanted. Because she was so young, she made many young viewers feel seen and, therefore, able to connect with her, setting up a fan base that has been riding with her since day one.
Breaking Into The Music Industry
In 2014, before her music career took off, Carpenter performed on a literal pirate ship for Macy’s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Yes, she sang aboard the Pirates Booty Treasure Hunt! In fact, this is how I discovered her.
I was prepping for Thanksgiving dinner with my family in the kitchen, half listening to the parade when I heard her name come on (yes, we share the same name, so I obviously had to drop what I was doing and pay attention). Carpenter sang her hit song “Middle of Starting Over” and became an inspiration to many young girls.
Fast-forward a few years, at 16 years old, Carpenter released her debut album, Eyes Wide Open. The album was full of light, feel-good songs like “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying” and “We’ll Be the Stars,” which resonated with her youthful audience. She fit the “Disney it-girl” persona perfectly and became known for her bubbly personality. But she didn’t stay in the Disney lane very long.
Like any rising pop star, Carpenter grew up, and so did her music. In late 2016, she released her EVOLution album, followed by Singular: Act I and Singular: Act II, shifting her sound and image. These albums promoted transition and growth as she moved away from the Disney pop era and toward a sophisticated, confident, teenager-centered brand.
Songs like “Almost Love,” “Sue Me,” and “On Purpose” showcased her mature and slightly rebellious style. These albums served as a glow-up, a chance to say goodbye to her Disney days and focus on becoming a confident it-girl. The best part is that many young fans who started following Carpenter on Girl Meets World grew up alongside her as she delved into a more mature style.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Present Day Success
This brings us to the present day. Her albums emails i can’t send and Short n’ Sweet, have brought us an unapologetic Carpenter we have never seen: raw, unserious, and cheeky. Focused on young adult themes like heartbreak, vulnerability, and even playful sexual innuendo (at times), Carpenter has officially entered her iconic “Hot Girl Pop Era,” and we are so here for it.
And then, there’s “Espresso.” What started as a random SNL skit became a pop culture phenomenon, and the internet ran with it. The skit took on a life of its own and even evolved into a full-on series, thanks to Marcello Hernandez’s role as Domingo.
Domingo himself even made an appearance at her LA concert shortly after the original skit, which broke the internet. Being the icon that she is, Sabrina Carpenter made a cameo in the final skit (or was it the final one? We don’t know).
So…is she on track to become the next Ariana Grande? Maybe soon or in a couple of years. Either way, this is just the beginning of Carpenter’s dominance in the music industry, and we cannot wait to see what comes next.
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