It was less a music performance and more a political parade.
Sabrina Carpenter, the former Disney star turned pop singer, lit up the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards stage Sunday night—but not everyone’s cheering. What started as a performance of her latest single “Tears” suddenly turned into a full-blown drag queen rally, complete with protest signs, virtue signaling, and a message that had more to do with politics than pop.
Watch the moment for yourself:
Sabrina Carpenter performing “Tears” at the 2025 #VMAs ? @SabrinaAnnLynn pic.twitter.com/RcHvxgJ8iq
— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 8, 2025
Now, let’s break this down.
Carpenter kicked off her performance by popping out of a manhole—yes, really—before being surrounded by drag queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race. Willam from season four, Symone from season 13, and Denali from season 13 and All Stars 10 were all front and center. But this wasn’t just a dance number. These performers held big, bold signs that said things like “Dolls, Dolls, Dolls” and the oh-so-enlightening “If you hate you’ll never get laid.”
Then, things escalated.
As Carpenter stepped into a glittery phone booth, the stage flooded with even more signs. Messages like “Protect trans rights,” “Support local drag,” and “Don’t hate drag queens because you can’t read” filled the screen. The whole thing was less about the music and more about sending a political message—one that clearly targeted conservative values.
Let’s be real: this wasn’t about art. It was about activism. And it’s something we’ve seen over and over again—Hollywood and the entertainment industry using their platforms to push far-left agendas, especially when it comes to kids and culture.
Carpenter’s performance comes on the heels of her new album “Man’s Best Friend” and the release of the music video for “Tears,” which already featured actor Colman Domingo dressed in drag. So, it’s clear this wasn’t a one-off stunt. It’s a carefully crafted message: the LGBTQI+ movement, drag culture, and trans politics are being tied directly into mainstream pop music—and aimed straight at young fans.
Photo evidence? Right here:
*Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for MTV*
*Photo by Kristina Bumphrey/Billboard via Getty Images*
The bigger question is: what happened to just performing music?
The VMAs used to be about celebrating top talent, hit songs, and cool visuals. But this year, it looked more like a political protest disguised as an awards show. The only thing missing was a politician giving a speech.
And it wasn’t just Carpenter. The night was completely dominated by female performers with a heavy dose of woke messaging. Lady Gaga walked away with four awards, including Artist of the Year. Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter herself both took home three awards each. Bruno Mars was the only man to win something, and even that was for a duet with Lady Gaga and a feature with Blackpink’s Rose.
So what do we take away from all this?
It’s simple: the entertainment industry is no longer just about entertainment. It’s about pushing boundaries, pushing messages, and pushing an agenda. Sabrina Carpenter used her VMA moment to make a statement—but the question is, who was she really performing for? The fans, or the activists?
Either way, one thing’s for sure: the 2025 VMAs will be remembered less for the music and more for the politics on parade.