PETA Goes After Sabrina Carpenter Following Grammys Performance
Sabrina Carpenter’s opening performance at the 2026 Grammy Awards quickly turned into a controversy after animal rights group PETA publicly criticized her stage choices. The backlash began shortly after the live broadcast ended in Los Angeles.
According to a statement shared by PETA following the ceremony, the group took issue with Carpenter using a live white dove during her performance. They questioned why an animal would be brought onto a loud awards show stage and said moments like this should no longer be part of the industry.
PETA explained that award shows are stressful environments for animals. Bright lights, loud music, cheering crowds, and constant movement can cause fear and distress, especially for birds that belong in nature. The group argued that even if the moment looked controlled, the setting itself was unsafe.
The performance aired live from the Crypto.com Arena. Carpenter opened the show with an airport-themed set, emerging from a luggage belt labeled Sabrina Carpenter Airlines. As the song built, she rose into the air on a silver airplane-shaped platform. At the end of the number, she revealed the dove in her hands as the music faded.
What was meant to be a dramatic closing moment quickly spread online for a different reason. Viewers noticed the bird fluttering in her grip, and clips of the moment began circulating on social media. Within hours, PETA’s response became part of the conversation.
Sabrina Carpenter turned the #GRAMMYS stage into her own flight runway while performing “Manchild” ✈️ pic.twitter.com/qA8e43kyjC
— Chicks (@Chicks) February 2, 2026
The criticism did not erase the scale of Carpenter’s night. She entered the Grammys with six nominations. These included Record and Song of the Year for Manchild, as well as an Album of the Year nomination for her project Man’s Best Friend. She ultimately did not win, as the night was dominated by Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny.
Despite leaving without a trophy, Carpenter remains one of pop music’s fastest-rising stars. Industry reports say she is now preparing to return to acting in a major way. She is set to produce and star in a musical version of Alice in Wonderland for Universal Pictures. The film is being directed by Lorene Scafaria and produced by Marc Platt.
Her schedule for the year is already full. She is set to headline Coachella in April, and Disney+ has confirmed her appearance in a special Muppet Show episode celebrating the franchise’s 50th anniversary.
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