Sabrina Carpenter turned the 2025 MTV VMAs into her playground, delivering one of the night’s most talked-about performances and walking away with a Moon Person to celebrate. The 26-year-old brought unstoppable energy to the stage with “Tears,” a single from her record-breaking new album Man’s Best Friend.
Emerging from a manhole, Carpenter’s dramatic entrance instantly transported the audience into the cinematic world of her music video. She was joined by RuPaul’s Drag Race queens Symone, Denali, Lexi Love, and more, as she slid and danced across the stage in a sparkling diamond-encrusted bustier.
Sabrina also made a statement, closing surrounded by her dancers and the queens holding signs that read “Protect Trans Rights” and “Dolls Dolls Dolls!” Fans immediately praised the mix of glitz and activism. They also watched as Carpenter had a dance break in the rain.
During her acceptance speech, she also shared her gratitude for the opportunity to shine a light on the trans community. “This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,” she said during her acceptance speech. “So to get to be part of something that can bring light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f***ing oyster. I’m so grateful to do that.”
Heading into the VMAs, Carpenter had an impressive nine nominations, including Video of the Year for her popular “Manchild” music video, Best Pop Artist, Best Pop Song, Best Album (Short n’ Sweet), and multiple technical nods like Best Direction, Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Editing.
She was also that girl on the red carpet. Just when we thought the pop princess couldn’t top her past jaw-dropping fashion moments, she proved us all wrong by delivering a look that was daring, dazzling, and dripping with old-Hollywood glamour.
The 26-year-old hitmaker arrived at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York wearing a sheer, waist-snatching floor-length Valentino gown that was completely embroidered with ruby-red sequins and lace appliqué. With its high neckline, long sleeves, and dramatic train, the look balanced sophisticated detail with an undeniably sultry vibe. To turn the glam up even higher, Sabrina threw a lilac feathered stole over her arms — the playful pop of pastel perfectly offset the bold red, proving once again that she knows how to master color and texture on the carpet.
Her glam tied the whole vision together. Makeup artist Carolina Gonzalez gave her bronzy perfection with a golden glitter eye paired with a soft mauve-pink lip, while hairstylist styled Sabrina’s blonde locks into voluminous curls with a dramatic side bang. The switch-up from her usual curtain fringe? Absolute red carpet risk — and it paid off.
Of course, we can’t forget about the nails — because they deserve their own spotlight. OPI Global Ambassador Zola Ganzorigt gave Sabrina a rhinestone-encrusted French manicure inspired by her “Tears” music video. The almond-shaped nails featured fiery red tips accented with rainbow rhinestones, tying seamlessly into her Valentino gown while adding that playful, pop-star sparkle.
“It was inspired by her ‘Tears’ music video nails,” Zola shared in a press release. “We recreated the nails but with a red base color for it to match her red carpet and performance outfits.”
To achieve the look, Zola applied one coat of OPI GelColor Super Base Base Coat and cured for 30 seconds. The nail artist then applied one coat of OPI GelColor in “Bare My Soul” and painted the tip using OPI GelColor in “Malaga Wine”. For the rhinestones, Zola recommends adding multicolor and multisite gems using OPI GELevate 4-In-1 Builder Gel “OPI’m Flawless” before sealing the look with OPI GelColor Super Gloss Top Coat.
When accepting her award, she couldn’t resist poking fun at herself for all the albums she’d made before hitting it big with Short n’ Sweet, her previous VMA-winning release.
“I really don’t take for granted when you guys take the time out of your lives to listen to an album and if I’m lucky enough that that is my album, I am so grateful whether that be Short n’ Sweet or whether that be Man’s Best Friend, my new album, or whether it be one of my 29 [albums] before that,” she joked. “I’m just the luckiest girl in the world.”
Despite the many albums before her breakthrough, Carpenter’s success is undeniable… and definitely worth the wait. In this past year, Man’s Best Friend debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, breaking the record for the most-streamed album in a single day by a female artist on Spotify in 2025. Her lead single “Manchild” became her first debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her second career No. 1 overall, after “Please Please Please.” The 12-track album was recorded across London, New York, and Los Angeles with collaborators Jack Antonoff, John Ryan, and Amy Allen.
Watch Sabrina’s performance of “Tears” below and don’t forget to let us know what you thought of it by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.
