Former Disney star Sabrina Carpenter used her platform at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards to promote LGBTQI+ activism, flooding the stage with drag queens holding signs demanding appreciation, applause, and political rights. Her performance marked one of the most overt political displays of the evening, blending pop culture with progressive ideology in a show broadcast to millions.
Carpenter emerged from a manhole on stage at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, performing her single “Tears” from her seventh studio album Man’s Best Friend. She was joined by Drag Race stars Willam, Symone, and Denali, who held up signs reading, “Dolls, Dolls, Dolls,” and “If you hate you’ll never get laid.” As the performance escalated, more drag performers entered the stage with signs bearing slogans such as “Protect trans rights,” “Support local drag,” “Love each other,” and “Don’t hate drag queens because you can’t read.”
The politically charged display follows the release of Carpenter’s music video for “Tears,” which featured actor Colman Domingo dressed in drag. The performance capped off a weekend where progressive themes took center stage, with Carpenter among several artists using their platform to make statements on gender identity and LGBTQI+ issues.
The 2025 VMAs were largely dominated by female artists. Lady Gaga won four awards including artist of the year, while Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter each took home three. The only male winner of the evening was Bruno Mars, recognized for collaborations with Gaga and Rose of the K-pop group Blackpink.
