Sabrina Carpenter Drops an F-Bomb Accepting Best Album Award at VMAs 2025 While Addressing Criticism for Man’s Best Friend

The “Espresso” star wins Best Album for Short n’ Sweet and delivers a fiery speech about criticism, gratitude, and staying unapologetic

Sabrina Carpenter made headlines at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards after delivering an unfiltered acceptance speech for her Best Album win.

On Sunday, Sept. 7, the 26-year-old singer took the stage at New York’s UBS Arena to accept the award for her 2024 record Short n’ Sweet, which spawned hit singles like Espresso and Please, Please, Please.

Carpenter began by thanking the VMAs and her devoted fans. “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.”

She lightheartedly joked about her growing discography: “Whether that be Short n’ Sweet, this album, or whether that be Man’s Best Friend, my new album, or whether it be one of my 29 before that,” earning laughs from the crowd.

But her speech quickly shifted to a more candid tone. Addressing recent criticism surrounding her latest project Man’s Best Friend, Carpenter dropped an F-bomb as she described how music helps her push through negativity:

“This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity. So to get to be a part of something so often, more than not, that is something that can bring you light, make you smile, make you dance and make you feel like the world is your f—ing oyster, I am so grateful.”

Carpenter expressed deep appreciation for her fans and fellow artists: “Every artist here tonight that is nominated, that’s performing, that is just standing here looking amazing, you all mean so much to me and have inspired me so much.”

The bold speech comes shortly after her candid CBS Mornings interview with Gayle King, where Carpenter dismissed the backlash over her provocative Man’s Best Friend cover art and unapologetic lyrics. She described the project as “not for any pearl-clutchers,” emphasizing its playful, confident spirit.

On the red carpet, Carpenter also turned heads in a sheer red gown, further cementing her image as one of pop’s boldest voices.

Her win marks another milestone in her career, which began at the VMAs in 2020 when she was first honored as PUSH Best New Artist. Five years later, she has become one of the night’s most talked-about stars, balancing vulnerability with fiery self-assurance.