Sabrina Carpenter has now released an alternative album cover for Man’s Best Friend – and with a defiant message for those put off by her original, provocative visual.
Carpenter, 26, dropped the image days after facing backlash over her original album cover which saw her posing on all fours as a faceless man tugged at her hair.
On Wednesday, the singer unveiled a second cover that is a complete 180 from the original, with the black-and-white image capturing Sabrina holding a handsome man as she works a sexy retro gown.
In a message that addressed the criticism she faced over the original cover, Sabrina said this new image was ‘approved by God.’
‘i signed some copies of Man’s Best Friend for you guys,’ she wrote in the caption. ‘& here is a new alternate cover approved by God. available now on my website.’
Fans were beside themselves over the divine reference: ”Approved by the big guy himself, love that!’ one wrote. ‘”Approved by God” is perfect,’ another fan wrote. ‘Now everyone clutching their pearls can ease up a bit while they watch edits of all the Juno poses.’
Sabrina Carpenter has debuted an alternative album cover for Man’s Best Friend after sparking controversy with her original provocative visual
The original Man’s Best Friend album cover saw Sabrina posing on all fours as a faceless man tugged at her hair
‘you’re right, jesus was a carpenter so,’ one praised while another said, ‘“Approved by god” haha I freaking love you.’
‘Baby, don’t pay attention to them!!!! I love the other cover, you look divine in every one!!!!’
‘Throw the shade sis,’ another wrote. ‘THROW IT.’
‘Not her having to change the cover cause y’all are sensitive,’ another noted.
‘”approved by god” whack em again for me sis,’ a fan said.
But not everyone was pleased with the religious aspect, with one posting on X: ‘So we gonna continue to reward her for mocking religion?’
Another wrote: ‘Glad this cover is more modest – just wish it didn’t come with the jab at Christians!’
Another said: ‘Girl i love you but it’s not about Christianity or purity, it’s just shocking seeing you in a position so degrading with A MAN. like, you could have him in his knees for you and no one would bat an eye.’
Sabrina’s original album cover was called out by a leading domestic violence charity who accused her of ‘reducing women to pets’ in addition to various online commentators.
Fans were beside themselves over the divine reference: ”Approved by the big guy himself, love that!’ one wrote
A few critics took issue with her bringing up religion
‘Pathetic. Wtf is she thinking,’ one critic previously wrote, while another commented, ‘Dumpster humanity.’
For those concerned about the fate of her original cover, it still will be available.
The new image graces the cover for the cassette packaging, while the original still fronts the CD. The album’s record is available in both the new and original cover.
It’s certainly not the first time Sabrina has faced controversy over her embrace of sex.
The Espresso singer famously simulates sex positions while performing her song Juno during her Short n’ Sweet Tour, but not everyone is a fan of the NSFW displays.
In a defiant message that addressed the criticism she faced over the original cover, Sabrina said this new image was ‘approved by God’
The new image graces the cover for the cassette packaging, while the original still fronts the CD. The album’s record is available in both the new and original cover
‘It’s always so funny to me when people complain,’ she told Rolling Stone of her Juno moments. ‘They’re like, “All she does is sing about this.” But those are the songs that you’ve made popular. Clearly you love sex. You’re obsessed with it.
‘It’s in my show. There’s so many more moments than the ‘Juno’ positions, but those are the ones you post every night and comment on. I can’t control that. If you come to the show, you’ll [also] hear the ballads, you’ll hear the more introspective numbers.
‘I find irony and humor in all of that, because it seems to be a recurring theme. I’m not upset about it, other than I feel mad pressure to be funny sometimes.’
In a subsequent phone call with the magazine, the topic was broached again: ‘I don’t want to be pessimistic, but I truly feel like I’ve never lived in a time where women have been picked apart more, and scrutinized in every capacity. I’m not just talking about me. I’m talking about every female artist that is making art right now.’
It’s certainly not the first time Sabrina has faced controversy over her embrace of sex
As the reporter noted that Swifties were taking photos outside of Taylor Swift’s iconic Cornelia Street, Sabrina elaborated: ‘That’s what I’m saying.’
‘We’re in such a weird time where you would think it’s girl power, and women supporting women, but in reality, the second you see a picture of someone wearing a dress on a carpet, you have to say everything mean about it in the first 30 seconds that you see it,’ she continued.
Sabrina even wrote a song hitting back at the criticism she’s received online, Needless To Say, a vinyl-only bonus track for Short and Sweet.
Some of the lyrics state: ‘A pretty dress, an awkward angle/I bet you zoomed in close and held it up to show all of your friends.’
‘It’s something that keeps coming back,’ Sabrina added. ‘We just have to grow thicker skin, but they don’t have to learn how to shut their mouths.’
