Sabrina Carpenter has found herself at the center of controversy recently, following her choice of cover art for her upcoming album titled “Man’s Best Friend.” The cover features an intriguing yet provocative image where Carpenter poses on all fours like a dog, while a faceless man appears to pull her hair. This artistic choice has sparked a divided response among her fans.

On one hand, some fans viewed the cover as a playful and ironic commentary, particularly in light of the themes explored in the album's lead single, “Manchild.” However, others have harshly criticized Carpenter, accusing her of perpetuating sexist stereotypes and undermining women's rights. This backlash has prompted the former Disney Channel star to take action.

In an effort to address the criticism, Carpenter unveiled an alternative cover design that she described as “approved by God” on her Instagram account this past Wednesday. The new black-and-white artwork pays homage to the legendary Marilyn Monroe, featuring Carpenter in an elegant, beaded gown as she leans against a man dressed in a suit. While Carpenter occupies the foreground of the image, the man's face remains obscured, adding an air of mystery to the cover.

This incident isn't Carpenter's first brush with controversy. Earlier this year, she faced backlash from the Catholic Church after filming parts of her music video for “Feather” at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church. The Diocese of Brooklyn expressed their disapproval, stating they were “appalled” by the nature of the video, leading to the removal of the priest who facilitated her filming.

In a bold response during an interview with Variety, Carpenter addressed this backlash with the quip, “Jesus was a carpenter.” She reiterated her stance at her Coachella debut in 2024, donning a shirt emblazoned with the same phrase, demonstrating her unwillingness to shy away from confrontation.

Additionally, Carpenter has sparked discussions regarding her performance style on her Short n’ Sweet Tour, which is set to return to North America this fall. During her sultry rendition of the song “Juno,” she has been known to act out different sexual positions each night, a move that has drawn both admiration and criticism from audiences and commentators alike.

In a cover story for Rolling Stone published in June, Carpenter responded to critics who argue that her brand is overly sexualized. “It’s always funny to me when people complain,” she stated. “They’re like, ‘All she does is sing about this.’ But those are the songs that you’ve made popular. Clearly you love sex. You’re obsessed with it. It’s in my show. There’s so many more moments than the ‘Juno’ positions, but those are the ones you post every night and comment on. I can’t control that.”

After a user on the platform X (formerly Twitter) shared the original cover and questioned whether Carpenter had a personality beyond her sexual imagery, she humorously responded, “Girl yes and it is goooooood.”

Among those rallying to Carpenter's defense was singer Carly Simon, notably known for her song “You’re So Vain.” Simon, who also faced criticism for her own album covers in the past, remarked, “She’s not doing anything outrageous. It seems tame. There have been far flashier covers than hers.” Simon recalled the Rolling Stones’ “Sticky Fingers” album cover as an example of a more provocative presentation, questioning the severity of the backlash Carpenter has received.

As the release date of “Man’s Best Friend” approaches, set for August 29, fans can pre-order signed editions and copies featuring the alternative artwork directly from Carpenter’s website. This album is anticipated to build on the success of her previous project, “Short n’ Sweet,” released just over a year ago.