Carly Simon compares Sabrina Carpenter’s album cover to her own 1975 artwork amid public debate

Singer Carly Simon has spoken out in defense of pop star Sabrina Carpenter following backlash over the provocative cover of her new album, ‘Man’s Best Friend.’ The image features Carpenter in a black mini dress on her hands and knees, with a man appearing to grab her by the hair. Critics online labeled the imagery as disturbing or offensive, especially given Carpenter’s transformation from a former Disney star to a more adult-themed performer. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Simon dismissed the controversy, calling the image ‘tame’ compared to past album covers in the music industry. She pointed to the Rolling Stones’ ‘Sticky Fingers’ and her own 1975 album ‘Playing Possum’ as more provocative examples, noting that public reaction to daring imagery has long been part of artistic expression. Simon shared her experience with her own controversial cover and the attention it received, stating that provocative visuals in music are nothing new. Meanwhile, Carpenter continues to attract attention for her bold stage performances, including a suggestive act during a Paris concert that drew mixed reactions on social media. While some fans applaud her evolution as an artist, others worry her image may alienate younger audiences.