Sabrina Carpenter- She does what she wants, and she looks good doing it. by

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 08:00:35 UTC

How Sabrina Carpenter utilizes a soft, hyperfeminine aesthetic, and elements of romanticized classic Americana to repackage strong opinions, and brash social commentary in a way that feels easily digestible to the general public.

Denotation

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 08:54:38 UTC

Connotation

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 08:54:59 UTC

Hyperfemininity

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 21:35:02 UTC

Sabrina is almost always sporting outfits in pastel colors, a fresh, bouncy blowout in her hair, and a full face of dramatic glam makeup.

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 21:44:36 UTC

Hyperfemininity

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 21:46:51 UTC

She also uses girlish motifs like hearts, and kiss marks.

1950's Americana

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 22:19:37 UTC

Carpenter dons a chiffon babydoll set as part of her costume rotation, this style was most popular in America in the 1940’s to 60’s, before having a satirical resurgence in the 90’s.

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 22:43:33 UTC

1950's Americana

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 22:58:18 UTC

Sabrina occasionally uses elements of the American south in her image, and; such as a banjo in her song ‘Slim Pickins’,a relaxed pennsylvanian drawl in her song ‘Please, Please, Please’ and collaboration with country music star Dolly Parton on the same song.

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 23:00:14 UTC

1950's Americana

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 23:06:38 UTC

Carpenter performs homage to traditional American figures of femininity, and glamor; like Marilyn Monroe, and Barbie

Fantasy

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 23:24:01 UTC

Sabrina performs all her shows on her ‘Short and Sweet’ tour in a rotation of custom designed lingerie from Victoria's Secret

Fantasy

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 23:29:27 UTC

She uses a balance of satin sheen tights, rhinestone, baking powder, and highlight to get an unattainable, airbrushed look.

Fantasy

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 23:52:49 UTC

Sabrina kicks off every performance in her ‘Short and Sweet’ tour by building anticipation with a slow costume, and color palette reveal.

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 23:53:33 UTC

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marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-24 23:58:46 UTC

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 00:02:31 UTC

Male Gaze vs. Female Audience

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 00:05:24 UTC

Sabrina carpenter employs use of every classic feature that appeals to the male gaze, making her theoretically, inviting to a male audience, yet her audience largely consists of young women, why is that?

Self awareness and satire

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 00:10:45 UTC

Sabrina engages with traditional femininity in an exaggerated, and satirical manner. The same way that a drag queen would. Sabrina is self aware enough to recognize her role in the public eye as a woman, and the expectations that come with that role. She makes fun of gender expectations by embracing them wholeheartedly in a way that is so intense no normal person could.

Self awareness and satire

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 00:17:42 UTC

This satire resonates with young women because it gives a silent acknowledgement of the social expectations placed on young women, and gives a form of of malicious compliance in response. Inspiring young women to explore femininity as a genuine form of self expression, rather than as fulfillment of an expectation.

Autonomy and Conviction

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 00:22:15 UTC

Sabrina depicts a form of female autonomy through overconfidence both her music, and performance.

Body confidence

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 00:41:46 UTC

Sabrina promotes Body Confidence and Self acceptance through leading by example. Sabrina is 5 ft. tall, and much shorter than average. She embraces this unique feature through her albums title 'Short and Sweet', Through her lyrics; such as the opening lyrics to her opening song of her tour 'Taste' when she says "oh i leave quite an impression, 5 ft. to be exact", and pokes fun at her height in her iconic bit where her mic is purposely lowered too high for her to reach, and she must jump to get it.

Body Confidence

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 00:57:42 UTC

While Sabrina is conventionally attractive, her height makes her somewhat abnormal. Height too extreme in either direction has been historically condemned in women by the entertainment industry, and Sabrinas influence has had a positive effect socially for short women since her boom in popularity. Both Sabrinas own celebration of her height, and public response places positive value on unconventional traits, and encourages women to accept, and celebrate their own body.

Postmodern Feminism

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 01:41:53 UTC

Sabrina carpenter appeals to ideals of postmodern feminism through sexual empowerment, and social commentary about modern relationships.

Postmodern Feminism

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:21:25 UTC

Sabrina invokes female empowerment through her comfort, and confidence surrounding her own sexuality. She freely chooses to express her sexuality through her costumes, music videos, choreography, and lyricism. Carpenter also shows empowerment by specifically centering her own pleasure Within a society that shames women for seeking that out.

Hyperfeminity

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:33:45 UTC

Sabrina performs a form of feminine expression called hyperfemininity. An inherently satirical form of self expression that is an exaggerated version of the gender expectations placed on women. This style of expression can be very fun, leans heavily into the male fantasy, and is often utilized by women to normalize a large personality, or strong opinions.

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:35:35 UTC

How is Sabrina using the features, and styles demonstrated to market her image, and music?

Fantasy

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:37:48 UTC

Through her performance, and music, Sabrina sells both the female fantasy, and the fantasy of luxury.

1950s Americana

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:40:59 UTC

Carpenter utilizes the imagery and fashion of the mid 1950's, and sound influence of the American south to invoke feelings of nostalgia, innocence, simplicity, and naivety in her audience.

Hyperfemininity

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:45:02 UTC

Not only does she explore the style of hyperfemininity as a form of self expression, but Carpenter also uses it as a form of social allowance. The pop star is able to express her opinions and experiences with more conviction, more candidly, and with better public acceptance than before she claimed this soft aesthetic.

1950s Americana

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:52:01 UTC

Carpenter uses homages to traditional feminine figures to give silent commentary on what a woman is in this day and age, and what a woman is expected to be.

1950s Americana

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 04:56:52 UTC

Carpenter uses elements of classic america, specifically the American south to introduce a facet of playfulness, or youthfulness to her persona; as well as an antithetical sense of both innocence, and provocativity. This seems like a foreign concept, but the entertainment industry has been using the trope of the 'Farmers Daughter' for over a century.

Male Fantasy

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 05:02:34 UTC

How does Sabrina cater to the male fantasy? Her onstage persona is a blatantly sexual young women who dances around in lingerie and little heels. She has crafted her persona around the concept of the dream girl; a fantastical image of a woman who looks flawless all the time and is simultaneously virginally naive, and accidentally provocative. This fantasy is supported mainly by her visuals

The Female Fantasy

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 05:08:12 UTC

How does Sabrina cater to the female fantasy? Despite her provocative persona, and innocent visuals Sabrina caters to the female fantasy through autonomy, and mutual adoration. Through her Provocativity there is choice shown, and an emphasis on female pleasure, and fun. Carpenter also places special attention on girls supporting girls, and spotlights one fan at each show for exceptional personal style. This fantasy is mainly supported through her lyricism.

The Fantasy of Luxury

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 05:18:34 UTC

One fantasy that sabrina carpenter sells in her image that is gender neutral is the fantasy of luxury. The idea of waking up and taking your morning shower, and coming out dripping in diamonds, with a full face of makeup, perfect skin, and kitten heels. Sabrina embodies this fantasy to appeal to the modern chase for material possession.

Autonomy and conviction

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 05:20:57 UTC

Carpenter displays a stunning amount of confidence, and conviction within her self through her lyricism. Her line's from her song 'Busy Woman' "to turn me down, well thats just unethical" and "if you don't want me, i'll just deem you gay!" both resonate with young women because it is refreshing to see woman in the public eye display blatant confidence in herself, and even rarer to see a modern woman with a strong sense of self worth in the context of dating, and relationships.

Postmodern Feminism

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 05:35:33 UTC

Carpenter also appeals to the ideals of postmodern feminism through her views on men and dating. Carpenter does not de-center men by any means in her music, yet is still considered to have feminist views, and values; This is because of her refusal to be submissive, or subservient. her lyrics playfully objectify men, shifting the dynamic away from the typical. In her music Sabrina also openly laments the struggles of dating, both as a modern woman, and as a female celebrity. Her song 'Please pPease Please' is a pop ballad about being afraid that your boyfriend will publicly embarrass you on a global scale, which is oddly a view shared by many women, who found the song relatable, and supportive.

Autonomy and Convivtion

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 05:47:50 UTC

Sabrina also expresses autonomy, and conviction in a way that is less commonly seen in pop stars. Sabrina is aware that she is the face of a branding that has incredible value, and incredible potential to make money; This gives the pop star confidence to be bolder with her decisions, and more candid with her adress. In her holiday special she says "they told me i could have an unlimited budget as long as i go viral" Sabrina isn't modest r quiet about her success, or the perks that come with it.

Theodore Adorno's concept of popular culture

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 05:58:52 UTC

Theodore Adorno believed that all popular culture was meaningless, harmful, and stood to continue obedience of the masses. Adorno also believed that Capitalist popular culture only distorts our desires, and could never be a spontaneous expression of the people, but only ever a tool to drive profit. Sabrina Carpenter's career directly challenges the concepts Adorno wrote on. Although Sabrina's music is a tool to drive profit, it still reflects the values, and struggles of modern young women. m

Adorno's Concepts vs. Carpenters career.

marlogoestocollege — 2025-05-25 06:02:16 UTC

Not only does Carpenter introduce stark social commentary about gender expression, social conflict, and life as a modern woman veiled in a catchy pop tune, and punchy drums, but even when she releases a song thats all fluff and fun it still hold value and meaning. Sabrina Carpenter shows that even popular culture that is not intended to carry weight, or comment on any social issues still carries value in spite of itself. The audience consuming the media will find value, and meaning in it if it can provide them catharsis. This is the concept i believe Adorno overlooked. Whether it is the dreadful, anticipation of 'Rite of Spring' or the bubbly pop tune of 'Espresso' if it can be emotionally processes it can provide value.