Sabrina Carpenter stages trans rights march with Drag Race stars in 2025 VMA Awards performance

Sabrina Carpenter has continued her campaign of pop perfection with a performance of ‘Tears’ at the 2025 VMA Awards that featured RuPaul’s Drag Race alumni and placards fighting for LGBTQ+ rights.

Hot on the heels of the release of seventh studio album Man’s Best Friend and music video for its second single “Tears”, which featured Colman Domingo in drag, Sabrina Carpenter has continued her ascension to fully-blown pop princess at the 2025 VMA Awards.

For the performance of her latest single, Carpenter emerged from a manhole, surrounded by RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Willam (season four), Symone (season 13) and Denali (season 13 and All Stars 10) as she kicked off the number.

Carpenter, who held a whopping nine nominations at this year’s VMAs, was also joined by Beyoncé collaborator Honey Balenciaga, a legendary ballroom performer who has appeared on Queen B’s most recent two tours.

Sabrina Carpenter performing "Tears" at the 2025 #VMAs 💧 @SabrinaAnnLynn pic.twitter.com/RcHvxgJ8iq

— Video Music Awards (@vmas) September 8, 2025

Sabrina Carpenter then strutted to the other side of the stage, where she was joined by two of RuPaul’s Drag Race‘s most iconic trans divas; Laganja Estranja (season six) and Lexi Love (season 17).

In the background, Drag Race stars held up placards that read: “Dolls, Dolls, Dolls,” and, “If you hate you’ll never get laid,” – and then, as Carpenter entered a phone booth, the stage flooded with even more signs fighting for LGBTQ+ rights.

“Protect trans rights”, “Support local drag,” “Love each other” and “Don’t hate drag queens because you can’t read,” were some featured slogans.

And in the performance’s final flourish, several hunky policemen ripped their clothes off during a rain soaked dance break.

Sabrina Carpenter, the mother you are.

Who caught our #DragRace girlies on stage with @SabrinaAnnLynn? 🤩 #VMAs pic.twitter.com/Oi7UaLke87

— RuPaul's Drag Race (@RuPaulsDragRace) September 8, 2025

Sabrina Carpenter also won Best Album for Short n’ Sweet, beating out Lady Gaga, The Weeknd and more.

Elsewhere at the 2025 VMA Awards, Lady Gaga snatched Artist of the Year, girl group KATSEYE won their first ever nomination for Push Performance and Ricky Martin’s trousers suffered a near-wardrobe malfunction.

The 2025 VMAs aired on CBS for the first time, as well as on MTV, and a livestream on Paramount+ (for premium subscribers).

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