Instagram/Sabrina CarpenterA Glasgow women’s charity has slammed Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album cover, saying it promotes “violence and control”.
The Espresso singer confirmed that her seventh album, Man’s Best Friend, will be released on August 29.
Alongside the announcement, she shared the cover art for the upcoming album, which has divided audiences.
In the picture, Carpenter is pictured on her hands and knees next to a man, who is pulling her hair.
Glasgow Women’s Aid, a charity providing refuge for victims of domestic abuse, slammed the cover, calling it “regressive”.
In a statement shared to Facebook, the charity said the image is a throwback to “tired tropes” that reduce women to pets, props, or possessions.
A spokesperson added that the album promotes “an element of violence and control”.
“Picturing herself on all fours, with a man pulling her hair and calling it ‘Man’s Best Friend’ isn’t subversion,” the statement read.
The charity added: “We’ve fought too hard for this. We get Sabrina’s brand is packaged up retro glam, but we really don’t need to go back to the tired stereotypes of women.
“Sabrina is pandering to the male gaze and promoting misogynistic stereotypes, which is ironic given the majority of her fans are young women.”
Fans also voiced concerns about the cover on Carpenter’s post, with one writing: “lol this cover art is so disgusting. as a fan I don’t like it.”
Another added: “Love Sabrina – but this picture – why is the man in there like that? It’s not a very empowering image for women. I think it’s a mistake since most of her fans are women, and as a DV survivor, I find it uncomfortable, and I’d rather see her empowered than like that. I don’t wanna be negative, I’m sorry, maybe it’s just me.”
Other fans were excited about the release, with one writing: “Omg, thank you for this. My day is made.”
Another wrote: “Sabrina is coming for album of the year, artist of the year, pop vocal album, all of it, and I’m here for it.”
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