Sabrina Carpenter’s BRITs Performance Was Too Hot for TV – See What Got Cut!

Did Sabrina Carpenter’s BRITs Performance Was Too Hot for TV – See What Got Cut!

Sabrina Carpenter turned heads during her recent performance at the 2025 BRIT Awards was meant to be a show-stopper, but instead, it’s ignited a heated conversation—especially among women—about the balance between artistic expression and oversexualization in the music industry.

The 25-year-old pop star took the stage on March 1, performing a medley of her hits, Espresso and Bed Chem. While some fans cheered her on, calling it iconic, others—especially parents—were less than thrilled. So, what exactly went down, and why has her performance sparked so much debate? Let’s break it down.

 Sabrina Carpenter Pushes the Limits

Sabrina’s set started relatively tame. Dressed in a chic outfit, she performed Espresso with dancers dressed as British King’s Guards, giving a playful nod to the UK audience. But then, things took a turn.

As she transitioned into Bed Chem, Carpenter appeared on stage in red lingerie, atop a giant pink bed, delivering choreography that some found a little too risqué for primetime TV.

One of the most talked-about moments? A scene at the end of her Bed Chem performance where she kneeled suggestively in front of a male dancer, who followed by winking at the audience. This would later be cut from the ITV broadcast because producers deemed it too explicit.

Sabrina’s performance aired at 8:15 PM, well before the UK’s 9 PM watershed, which is the time when television content is expected to be more family-friendly. That timing, along with the provocative elements of the routine, led to a flood of complaints to Ofcom (the UK’s communications regulator – similar to the FTC for the United States.)

How Did Viewers React to Her Performance?

If there’s one thing social media loves, it’s a controversy. Twitter and TikTok exploded with divided opinions.

Many fans loved the performance, defending Carpenter’s right to express herself freely:

“Sabrina Carpenter at the BRITs doing ‘Bed Chem’ before the watershed is absolutely iconic. She’s a sexy little lady who wants everyone to feel sexy for themselves, not for other people!” – Twitter user @LuvSabrinaUK

Others, particularly parents, are less than thrilled, arguing that the performance content is not appropriate for younger viewers.

“Just watched her and WTF, my daughter was watching. Cannot believe they would let her perform on stage in lingerie, doing those moves. So inappropriate for this time slot.” – Facebook comment from a UK viewer

Even industry professionals had something to say. Music producers Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman criticized the performance, claiming it played into the hyper-sexualization of women in pop music rather than showcasing real talent.

“This isn’t empowering, it’s just another case of a female artist being told she has to sell sex to be successful.” – Mike Stock in an interview with The Sun

 Sabrina Carpenter Responds—Unbothered and Unapologetic

Despite the backlash, Sabrina doesn’t seem too fazed. The  addressed the controversy head-on with a cheeky Instagram post:

“Brits, I now know what watershed is!!!!”

She later doubled down in an interview with The Sun, explaining that she won’t apologize for embracing her confidence and sexuality:

“My message has always been clear—if you can’t handle a girl who is confident in her own skin, then don’t come to my shows.”

In her interview, she also points out that this isn’t the first time a female pop star have received criticism for their stage presence. The celeb goes on to reference icons like Rihanna, Britney Spears, and Madonna, who have all faced similar criticism in their careers.

 

 The Bigger Debate: Where’s the Line Between Empowerment and Objectification?

Sabrina’s racy Brits set has reignited the ongoing debate about women, sexuality, and artistic freedom in the music industry.

On one hand, fans argue that Sabrina has every right to own her confidence and that her performance was no different from what male artists do all the time.

On the other,  her critics argue that moments like these contribute to the over-sexualization of women in entertainment, sending the wrong message—especially to young fans.

Another key issue? The timing. Many people wouldn’t bat an eye had this taken place later in the night, but because of it’s 9 pm timeslot, families experienced that extra element of surprise.

A UK parent vented on Twitter:

“As a dad of 11- and 13-year-old girls, I’m fuming that this was the opening act of the #BRITs2025. So unnecessary.”

It’s a tricky conversation and one that likely won’t resolve anytime soon. While the artist might be guilty of disrespecting the watershed policies, its fair to say Sabrina was not attempting to pull one over on OFcom.

If the committees overseeing this live broadcast didn’t want the chatter and controversy surrounding Sabrina’s performance, they could have easily moved her in the lineup to a later time slot, or asked her for a more PG set.

But, they invited her to open, likely knowing her style and her brand – which many think takes the heat off Sabrina, and puts it on Brits Awards coordinators.

Did Sabrina Carpenter Cross The Line?

At the end of the day, Sabrina Carpenter’s BRITs performance did exactly what award show performances are meant to do. They got people talking.

Whether you find her performances empowering or inappropriate, it’s clear that she’s already on her way to being a pop icon. Being that this starlet is only 25, it’s likely that this won’t be the last time we see a racy Sabrina performance in the news headlines.

What do you think? Was Sabrina’s performance too much, or just right? Let’s chat in the comments! ⬇️