Sabrina Carpenter, once a Disney Channel darling, has distanced herself from her child star image, embracing a more mature persona. The 25-year-old pop icon, who began her career with Disney's Girl Meets World and Hollywood Records, discussed her transformation in a recent interview with Variety.
"I'm 900 inappropriate jokes away from being a Disney actor, but I'm still often seen in that light," she shared. Despite this perception, Carpenter is honored to be associated with the influential women who have also transitioned from Disney roots. However, she feels a strong disconnect from her past roles and music.
Carpenter's journey to pop superstardom accelerated with the release of her hit single "Espresso" in April. After leaving Hollywood Records in 2019, she signed with Island Records in 2021 and subsequently released her fifth album, Emails I Can't Send, her most acclaimed project yet.
The singer has showcased her evolving style on tour, often infusing performances with city-specific renditions of her song "Nonsense," laden with sexual innuendos.
Her success continued to soar as she performed as an opening act for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in 2023 and 2024. Carpenter's latest singles, "Espresso" and "Please Please Please," have been infused with adult language, showcasing a sharp departure from her Disney-era lyrics.
In her discussion with Variety, Carpenter clarified the extent of her mature new image: "I'm not posing for Playboy — just to be clear," she stated, emphasizing that while her music has grown more audacious, she maintains certain boundaries.
While unlikely to return to Disney acting soon, Carpenter remains open to film roles, seeking scripts that stand out from the commonplace.
Her upcoming sixth album, Short n' Sweet, promises to deliver more bold and candid tracks, and is set to release on August 23.