Sabrina Carpenter’s high-flying Grammy opener was meant to be a show-stopping moment—but it quickly spiraled into controversy after she incorporated a live white dove into her performance. The 26-year-old pop star kicked off the 68th Annual Grammy Awards at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena with a theatrical rendition of her hit Manchild, complete with an airport-themed set and a silver airplane platform. But it was a brief, seconds-long moment with the bird that ignited fierce backlash online.
As Carpenter rose above the stage on the airplane prop, she revealed a live dove in her hand, holding it up as part of the dramatic finale. Almost immediately, animal rights activists sounded the alarm, accusing the singer of putting the bird in a stressful and potentially harmful situation. Within hours, social media lit up with criticism, turning what was designed as a whimsical flourish into a heated debate about animal welfare in entertainment.
PETA led the charge, calling the stunt “thoughtless, unnecessary, and cruel.” The organization argued that bright stage lights, booming sound systems, and physical handling can cause distress for birds, which are highly sensitive to their environment. In a pointed message directed at Carpenter, the group insisted that animals do not belong on awards-show stages and should be left to “soar freely” rather than serve as props.
Online reactions were swift and divided. Some viewers echoed PETA’s concerns, describing the moment as uncomfortable to watch and out of touch with modern standards around animal rights. Others defended Carpenter, suggesting the appearance was brief and likely supervised by professionals. Still, critics questioned why a live animal was necessary for a performance that already featured elaborate choreography and visual effects.
The controversy overshadowed what was otherwise a major night for Carpenter, who entered the ceremony with six nominations but ultimately left without a trophy. Her album Man’s Best Friend and breakout single Manchild have fueled her rapid rise in pop stardom, making her Grammy opener a highly anticipated moment. Instead, the conversation shifted from her vocals to the welfare of a single white dove.
Now, questions are swirling not only around Carpenter’s creative decision but also around the Recording Academy’s oversight of live performances. As public sensitivity toward animal treatment continues to grow, even a fleeting stage gimmick can trigger outsized backlash. Whether Carpenter addresses the uproar remains to be seen—but for now, her Grammy moment is flying straight into the center of a cultural storm.
