Sabrina is here to Protect the Dolls, and so are we!
When Sabrina Carpenter hit the MTV VMA 2025 stage, the audience was ready to hear fresh songs from her just-released album Man’s Best Friend. She delivered with an electrifying live debut of “Tears”, a performance that brought back the Y2K energy we’ve all been craving, packed with spectacle and, unexpectedly, a whole lot of meaning. She stepped onto the stage in a fringed, glittering outfit that screamed pure pop icon energy, channeling her inner Britney Spears with a rain-soaked vibe (and yes, the photos back it up). But Sabrina wasn’t just serving looks, she was sending a message.
Behind her, the spotlight revealed a group of drag performers and trans artists, including Honey Balenciaga, Symone, Laganja Estranja, Denali, and Willam. They weren’t just backup dancers; they were the soul of the performance, holding signs with bold, unapologetic slogans: Protect Trans Rights, In Trans We Trust, Love Each Other, and the now-iconic rallying cry, Protect the Dolls. The phrase, borrowed from Connor Ives’s viral fashion piece, carried real weight. Sabrina using her moment on one of pop culture’s biggest stages to amplify that message wasn’t accidental, it was powerful.
The internet, as always, had a lot to say. Some critics dismissed it as performative or “too political” for a pop stage, while others praised her for using her platform in a way that went beyond music. Whatever side people landed on, no one could ignore it. The performance instantly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night, sparking both love and backlash. But isn’t that what music is for? To make noise, to shake things up, to leave people debating, inspired, or at the very least paying attention to what really matters?
We think it’s incredible to see an artist of her caliber putting herself out there to protect a minority, especially in the political and social climate we’re living through right now. It proves there are no excuses left for major artists to stay silent when it comes to defending the LGBTQIA+ community, women, Latinos, or any other group that needs visibility and support.
Sabrina also walked away with a handful of trophies, including Best Pop Artist, Best Album for Short ’n’ Sweet, and Best Visual Effects for Manchild. It was the kind of night that cemented her status as more than just a rising star, but also as a voice willing to stand up for something bigger than herself. And hopefully, it inspires more artists not only to speak their truth, but to use their visibility and platforms to give space to the causes that matter.
