Sabrina Carpenter used her spotlight at the MTV VMA 2025 to stand up for transgender rights while celebrating her win for Best Album.
During her performance, Carpenter was joined on stage by trans people and drag queens carrying placards with messages such as “In trans we trust”, “Protect Trans Rights”, “Support drag”, and “If you hate, you’ll never get laid.” The bold display turned her performance into one of the most politically charged moments of the night.
Acceptance Speech Highlights a Marginalised Community
Collecting her Best Album award for 2024’s Short ’n’ Sweet, Carpenter delivered an emotional speech, saying she was thankful to use her platform to shine a light on a marginalised and persecuted community.
“This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,” she said. “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.”
Advocacy Amid Political Backdrop
Carpenter’s message arrives during a turbulent moment in U.S. politics. President Donald Trump’s administration has introduced a string of executive orders rolling back protections for transgender people, including bans on military service and directives for federal workers to remove references to so-called “gender ideology” from government websites.
Proposals have even surfaced to block trans people from gun ownership—a move opposed by the NRA itself—signalling escalating attacks on trans rights during Trump’s return to office.
Carpenter’s Career Momentum Continues
At just 26, Sabrina Carpenter has become one of the most prominent musicians using her platform to speak up for trans and LGBTQ+ communities. Her newest album, Man’s Best Friend, released last week, has already sparked discussion. In a review for The Independent, critic Adam White praised its “incredible highs” but noted some tracks felt like early sketches, revisiting themes explored on Short ’n’ Sweet.
Other Highlights from MTV VMA 2025
The night also included an emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, led by YUNGBLUD alongside Aerosmith legends Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, following the British rocker’s death in July at age 76.
Elsewhere, Canadian singer Tate McRae impressed audiences with her dynamic choreography, while Mariah Carey’s performance received a mixed reception, with some describing it as “lacklustre.”
