Sabrina Carpenter Criticized by PETA for ‘Cruel’ Grammy’s Act

Sabrina Carpenter has faced criticism from PETA after her performance at the Grammys, which featured a live bird on stage.

Carpenter performed in Los Angeles on February 1. Sharing the stage with artists like Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars, and Post Malone, she was part of the lineup tasked with entertaining the audience between award presentations.

Her performance was elaborate, featuring a stage set up like an airport, complete with a plane, escalators, and luggage carousels. She performed ‘Manchild’ from her 2025 album, Man’s Best Friend, donning a pilot’s hat while directing the audience with light-up batons. In a dramatic finale, Carpenter boarded a faux plane and revealed a white dove, which joined her on an elevated platform.

The dove flapped its wings as Carpenter beamed at the crowd, but despite audience cheers, the performance has sparked criticism from animal rights activists.

PETA took to X to address Carpenter directly, criticizing her choice to incorporate a live bird in her act. They wrote: “Did @SabrinaAnnLynn really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?! The Manchild singer is giving childlike behavior. Leave animals out of the #GRAMMYs!”

The post included an image parodying some of Carpenter’s lyrics, stating: “Hey Sabrina, bringing a live bird onto the Grammy’s stage is stupid, slow, useless… and cruel.”

The organization argued that the bright lights, loud noises, and handling involved in such performances cause undue stress and fear for birds, who are meant to soar freely in the sky.

PETA’s post has drawn varied reactions; while some fans defended Carpenter, urging PETA to ‘leave the girl alone’, others questioned why a fake bird wasn’t used.

Carpenter’s presence at the Grammys was notable not only for her performance but also for her six nominations, stemming from Man’s Best Friend.

She was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album, with ‘Manchild’ receiving nods for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Solo Pop Performance, and Best Music Video.

Despite the numerous nominations, Carpenter did not take home any awards that night and applauded her fellow nominees.

Her representatives have been contacted for comment.