A TikToker Has A Compelling Theory About Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Controversial’ Album Cover

The internet has been going bananas over the announcement of Sabrina Carpenter‘s upcoming album, Man’s Best Friend.

While fans are admittedly stoked that the pocket-sized pop star is releasing a follow-up album so soon after Short n’ Sweet, the album’s artwork has been generating a heap of commentary online, with some people labelling the album artwork as “degrading” and “regressive”.

However, one TikTok user has a theory that, if true, will send social media into a headspin. So, let’s investigate.

My new album, “Man’s Best Friend” 🐾
is out on August 29, 2025.

i can’t wait for it to be yours x

Pre-order now: pic.twitter.com/UXVLzBQTj4

— Sabrina Carpenter (@SabrinaAnnLynn) June 11, 2025

In case you haven’t seen it, the album artwork shows the “Busy Woman” singer on her knees with her hand on what appears to be a man’s thigh. He’s seen holding her hair as she looks to the camera.

(Image: Sabrina Carpenter / Instagram)

While many people had a lot of criticism about the album art, others have defended the singer’s intention, claiming it is a form of satirical commentary.

However, TikTok user Lily Hobman (@thespoiledstylist) took to the platform with a very compelling theory.

“I’m calling it right now, Sabrina’s album cover is rage bait and she’s going to release the zoomed out version and it will be her holding her own hair,” Lily wrote in the video, which has now amassed more than 1.1 million views.

“If you look at the proportions, the man looks tiny and his hands are small,” she continued.

“That’s why she dressed up in a suit for the Met Gala after party.”

*Sabrina Carpenter rocking a suit and cunty yellow coat at A$AP Rocky’s afterparty. (Photo by Steve Eichner/WWD via Getty Images)*

Lily’s theory is a good one, and I think she’s on to something. So, please allow me, a 5’3″ woman — admittedly slightly taller than Sabrina’s 5’0″ frame — to test out this theory.

As you can see in the video above, I set up a tape measure and copied Sabrina’s pose to work out how tall Sabrina would be kneeling down.

It measured around 83 cm (when you subtract the three extra inches I have on Sabrina). When I stood next to the 83cm mark, it came to just below my hip. Obviously, this is not woman-in-STEM science, but it does add some juice to Lily’s theory.

Alternatively, rather than the other figure being Sabrina, it could be a child. You know, with the whole manchild thing? Food for thought, huh?