Sabrina Carpenter says female artists are under more scrutiny than ever, as her suggestive new album cover sparks debate

• Sabrina Carpenter told Rolling Stone that female artists have never been "picked apart more."
• Carpenter's new album, "Man's Best Friend," has a suggestive cover featuring her on her knees.
• Female pop stars have been accused of being too sexual for decades.

Rolling Stone's latest cover star Sabrina Carpenter told the magazine that female artists are under more scrutiny than ever.

The interview landed the day after the singer announced her new album "Man's Best Friend," alongside its suggestive artwork featuring Carpenter on her knees as a man grabs her hair.

Though the cover fits the singer's brand — she is known for wearing risque outfits and playfully leaning into her sexuality — it still sparked debate online, with some accusing the singer of degrading herself.

Poppie Platt, a journalist at The Telegraph, wrote that Carpenter's brand could be damaging to young women by teaching them to lean on their desirability.

Carpenter's fans defended her, and said the cover is satirical and reflects how the singer feels men treat her like a dog.

Representatives for Carpenter did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

In the Rolling Stone interview, Carpenter addressed her reputation of being overly sexual.

"I don't want to be pessimistic, but I truly feel like I've never lived in a time where women have been picked apart more, and scrutinized in every capacity," she said.

"We just have to grow thicker skin, but they don't have to learn how to shut their mouths," Carpenter added.

Addressing criticism that her shows — in which she acts out sex positions — are too sexual, she said: "They're like, 'All she does is sing about this.' But those are the songs that you've made popular. Clearly you love sex. You're obsessed with it. It's in my show.

"There's so many more moments than the 'Juno' positions, but those are the ones you post every night and comment on. I can't control that."

Carpenter joins a long list of female celebrities who have been criticized for making sexuality central to their brand.

In 2024, Carpenter told Time stars such as Christina Aguilera, Rihanna, and Britney Spears, paved the way for her career.

"But you'll still get the occasional mother that has a strong opinion on how you should be dressing," Carpenter said. "And to that I just say, don't come to the show and that's OK."

Carpenter told Rolling Stone that she looks up to Dolly Parton, with whom she collaborated on a duet version of her 2024 single "Please Please Please," as an example for dealing with public scrutiny.

"She's always dealt with it with wit and humor," Carpenter said.