Sabrina Carpenter's Racy Brit Awards Performance Sparks Outrage Among Viewers

Sabrina Carpenter's performance at the 2025 Brit Awards has ignited a firestorm of debate, with opinions flying faster than you can say "Ofcom complaint."

The former Disney star took the stage on Saturday, opening the show with hits like "Bed Chem" and "Espresso," clad in a bold red lingerie ensemble. While Carpenter's energy was undeniable, her pre-9 p.m. performance set off alarms for some U.K. viewers, citing the BBC's watershed policy that aims to shield children from inappropriate content before the evening cut-off.

Responses from viewers were, let’s say, colorful. One critic on X fumed, "What have I just watched Sabrina Carpenter? WTF That was pure soft porn before the watershed." Another called her act "cheap and tacky" and lamented the lack of creativity compared to other performers' "impressive sets and costumes." Ouch.

Not everyone was clutching their pearls, though. Some fans rallied to the singer's defense, labeling the backlash as overblown. One supporter commented, "It was a fun show with great energy! If you can't handle a little excitement before 9 p.m., maybe it's time to lighten up!" Another dubbed Carpenter "iconic" for delivering an unapologetically sexy performance, emphasizing her message of self-empowerment. The divide between outrage and applause has rarely been this stark.

Carpenter herself seemed unfazed by the controversy. On Sunday, she cheekily addressed the uproar on social media, posting photos and videos from the event with the caption, "i now know what watershed is!!!!" Well, she’s definitely learned the hard way how much Brits love their broadcasting rules.

Meanwhile, Ofcom, the U.K.'s broadcasting regulator, confirmed it would publish an audience complaint report on March 5. If over 50 complaints are logged, Carpenter's performance will officially make the list. Until then, the debate rages on.

For her part, Carpenter remains steadfast in expressing herself through her artistry. In a 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, she explained, "This is my diary. Once I put it out there, it’s for other people to interpret. People don’t always know what’s going on inside the minds of anyone, let alone a young girl who’s navigating love and a lot of things for the first time." Love her or loathe her, Carpenter's Brit Awards moment is one for the books.