Sabrina Carpenter proved she’s a true genius when it comes to pop culture, and we can’t get enough of the references she borrows and recreates in her shows. But her performance at the VMAs was on another level.
During the MTV VMAs, Sabrina Carpenter performed her new single “Tears” on a stage that instantly reminded everyone of an iconic moment from the 2000s. We’re talking about Britney Spears’s legendary Dream Within a Dreamtour in 2001. The artificial rain pouring onstage, the dramatism, and above all, the wardrobe were key to this tribute.
All of Sabrina Carpenter’s References to Britney Spears at the VMAs
From the moment she stepped onto the red carpet, Sabrina was already in full Britney mode. She wore none other than a sheer lace dress that echoed Spears’s sensual, maximalist style in her prime—and even recalled that unforgettable red latex outfit. During her performance, she switched into another look: a crystal-studded bralette, a black miniskirt, and glittery tights, clearly inspired by the Bob Mackie design Britney wore during her 2001 tour.
But this wasn’t just about aesthetics. It was also a construction of political and social narrative, especially after all the controversy Sabrina has faced for her rebellious and sexual style. This tribute wasn’t only about nostalgia and 2000s pop culture; it also spoke to what it says about our generation today.
Sabrina didn’t limit herself to imitating an aesthetic—she rewrote a visual language that belongs to multiple generations and used it to tell her own story. That fusion of past and present is what turned the moment into something far more complex and relevant than a simple red carpet cosplay. And by surrounding the homage with trans dancers and performers, along with messages in support of the community, Carpenter transformed the tribute into a political statement.
