<p>Sabrina Carpenter has found herself in the middle of controversy for mistaking an Arabic cheer for yodelling. On Saturday, Carpenter issued an apology on her X profile after she faced backlash over mistaking the cheer and calling it ‘weird’ on stage during her Coachella performance a day earlier.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Grammy winner was performing her first headlining show at Coachella on Friday night when an audience member suddenly let out a high-pitched cry which is traditionally called a <i>zaghrouta.</i></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>“My apologies i didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly,” Carpenter wrote Saturday on X. “My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. Could have handled it better!”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>She added, “Now I know what a Zaghrouta is! I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">my apologies i didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly. my reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. could have handled it better! now i know what a Zaghrouta is! <br>I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out <a href="https://t.co/f3KuT8sggH">https://t.co/f3KuT8sggH</a></p>&mdash; Sabrina Carpenter (@SabrinaAnnLynn) <a href="https://twitter.com/SabrinaAnnLynn/status/2043076482529108262?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What happened at Coachella?</h2><p>Sabrina Carpenter performed at Coachella on Friday. The misunderstanding happened between two songs. As Carpenter finished her number “Please, Please, Please,” and sat down at the piano for her next number, someone in the crowd suddenly let out a loud trill.</p><p>“I think I heard someone yodel,” Carpenter said into the microphone. “Is that what you’re doing? I don’t like it.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2>What is a zaghrouta?</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A zaghrouta (or zagharit) is a traditional, high-pitched, vocalized sound made by women in Middle Eastern and North African cultures to express immense joy, celebration, or congratulations.</p><h2>Online uproar</h2><p>Soon after the concert, Carpenter faced severe online backlash as many called her “insensitive and Islamophobic.”</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The singer was “mad disrespectful for mocking the zaghrouta,” wrote one X user. “What’s worse is the blatant racism that followed and the laughs of the audience,” they continued.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A day after, on Saturday Carpenter issued an apology, which was mostly well-received online. Many thanked the pop star for taking accountability.</p><h2>About Sabrina Carpenter</h2><p>Carpenter made her foray into showbiz as a child actor who featured in Disney’s Girl Meet World as Maya. In recent years, she has transitioned from acting to singing and attained stardom.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>During her debut at Coachella in 2024, she vowed to return as a headliner. Her Coachella show on Friday was an elaborate Hollywood-themed production — dubbed “Sabrinawood” — packed with references to classic movies, including a dance from 1987’s “Dirty Dancing,” and celebrity cameos.</p>

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has addressed the backlash following her 2026 Coachella debut, admitting she "could have handled it better" after a cultural misunderstanding on stage.

Sabrina Carpenter has found herself in the middle of controversy for mistaking an Arabic cheer for yodelling. On Saturday, Carpenter issued an apology on her X profile after she faced backlash over mistaking the cheer and calling it ‘weird’ on stage during her Coachella performance a day earlier. The Grammy winner was performing her first headlining show at Coachella on Friday night when an audience member suddenly let out a high-pitched cry which is traditionally called a zaghrouta. “My apologies i didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly,” Carpenter wrote Saturday on X. “My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. Could have handled it better!” She added, “Now I know what a Zaghrouta is! I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out.”

<p>Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has addressed the backlash following her 2026 Coachella debut, admitting she "could have handled it better" after a cultural misunderstanding on stage.</p>

Why Sabrina Carpenter is facing criticism over her Coachella set reaction

<p>SZA has become the latest artist to call out the White House for using her music in a pro-ICE ad, blasting the move as "evil," "boring", and a "rage-bait". The singer responded on X after the White House pulled audio from "Big Boy," the viral song she performed in an SNL sketch in late 2022, for a social media post earlier this week.</p><h2><strong>White House rage-baiting artists?</strong></h2><p>On X, the singer accused the White House of "rage baiting artists for free promo," calling it "PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics...Evil n Boring".</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics ..Evil n Boring 🫩 <a href="https://t.co/PIKoYEdn2y">https://t.co/PIKoYEdn2y</a></p>&mdash; SZA (@sza) <a href="https://twitter.com/sza/status/1998864507855319376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<p>The White House clip used the song to hype up ICE operations, pairing the track with footage of immigration officers chasing down and arresting people. "We heard it's cuffing szn," the account posted, referencing the song's lyrics. "Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America," it added.</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-theme="dark" data-dnt="true" align="center"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">WE HEARD IT&#39;S CUFFING SZN. ⛓️<br><br>Bad news for criminal illegal aliens. Great news for America. <a href="https://t.co/cuXCdJjxWY">pic.twitter.com/cuXCdJjxWY</a></p>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1998222925866889283?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2025</a></blockquote>
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<p>SZA's manager, Punch, also weighed in, writing on X that Trump's White House was trying to "provoke" artists into reacting "in order to help spread propaganda". He called the use of music for political agendas as "nasty business" that needed to stop. "Knock it off," he added.</p><h2><strong>White House flaunts the use of copyrighted music without permission</strong></h2><p>In a statement to Variety, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson dismissed SZA's angry post and instead mocked the artists saying, "Thank you, SZA, for drawing even more attention to the tremendous work America’s ICE officers are doing by arresting dangerous criminal illegal aliens from American communities."</p><h2><strong>When White House used Sabrina Carpenter's music to push its "inhumane agenda"</strong></h2><p>SZA isn't alone in her frustration. Just last week, Sabrina Carpenter condemned the administration for using her hit "Juno" in a montage celebrating ICE raids. On X, the pop star called out the White House for using her music in a video promoting immigration enforcement, saying the clip turned her stomach. She called the video "evil and disgusting," and told the White House to "not ever involve me or my music" to benefit what she called an "inhumane agenda".</p><p>Jackson at the time clapped back at Carpenter, saying, "Here’s a Short n’ Sweet message for Sabrina Carpenter: we won’t apologise for deporting dangerous, criminal, illegal murderers, rapists, and paedophiles from our country." She added, “Anyone who would defend these sick monsters must be stupid, or is it slow?” However, following backlash, the White House deleted the Carpenter post — but then uploaded a second clip using SNL footage of Carpenter, editing the audio to make it sound like she was calling cast member Marcello Hernández "illegal" rather than "hot."<br> </p>

SZA blasts the White House for using her song in an ICE video, calling it evil and boring. She says the administration is rage-baiting artists for promo, days after Sabrina Carpenter made the same complaint. The White House is doubling down instead of backing off.

SZA has become the latest artist to call out the White House for using her music in a pro-ICE ad, blasting the move as "evil," "boring", and a "rage-bait". The singer responded on X after the White House pulled audio from "Big Boy," the viral song she performed in an SNL sketch in late 2022, for a social media post earlier this week. White House rage-baiting artists? On X, the singer accused the White House of "rage baiting artists for free promo," calling it "PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics...Evil n Boring".

<p>SZA blasts the White House for using her song in an ICE video, calling it evil and boring. She says the administration is rage-baiting artists for promo, days after Sabrina Carpenter made the same complaint. The White House is doubling down instead of backing off.</p>

SZA slams Trump admin for ‘rage baiting artists for free promo’ after White House uses her song 'Big Boy' in ICE video. Watch

MTV Video Music Awards 2025 brought music icons on one stage on Sunday night.  In case you missed the ceremony, don't worry- we have got you covered. Here's a recap of the night. 

<p>MTV Video Music Awards 2025 brought music icons on one stage on Sunday night. &nbsp;In case you missed the ceremony, don't worry- we have got you covered. Here's a recap of the night.&nbsp;</p>

MTV VMAs 2025 Highlights: Sabrina Carpenter burns the stage, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga take home top prizes

<p>Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift are currently two of the most renowned singers who have gained global fame through their hit tracks. The duo, who share a close bond, mutual admiration, and it deepened more when they performed together for Swift's Eras Tour. After Taylor Swift announced her 12th album titled <i>The Life of a Showgirl</i>, several theories by netizens have flooded social media.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>Netizens' speculations of Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift's collaboration</h2>

<p>Many netizens took to X handle to share their view and theories ever since Taylor Swift announced her new album. One user wrote, "Sabrina Carpenter covered Taylor Swift's 'I Knew You Were Trouble' acoustically for Spotify. Taylor put that very same song at number 12 in the Spotify playlist for her new album tonight. Guess what number Sabrina updated her website to earlier today? Tay x Sab collab incoming".</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read:</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/taylor-swift-announces-new-album-the-life-of-a-showgirl-with-beau-travis-kelce-1754974112433"><strong>Taylor Swift announces new album, The Life of a Showgirl with beau Travis Kelce</strong></a></p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sabrina Carpenter covered Taylor Swift&#39;s &quot;I Knew You Were Trouble&quot; acoustically for Spotify. Taylor put that very same song at number 12 in the Spotify playlist for her new album tonight.<br>Guess what number Sabrina updated her website to earlier today?<br>Tay x Sab collab incoming❤️‍🔥 <a href="https://t.co/BpWztwlF4g">pic.twitter.com/BpWztwlF4g</a></p>&mdash; BoozeyBeauty (@BoozeyBeauty) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoozeyBeauty/status/1955142830780813708?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>Another user wrote, "Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift both post August 12 on their respective websites. Is this a hint at a collab?".&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/jennifer-aniston-says-she-was-mourning-matthew-perry-before-his-death-he-s-out-of-that-pain-1754972062604"><strong>Jennifer Aniston on mourning Matthew Perry before his death: He’s out of pain</strong></a></p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift both post Aug 12 in their respective websites.<br>Is this a hint at a collab? <a href="https://t.co/IQm1WWZUGc">pic.twitter.com/IQm1WWZUGc</a></p>&mdash; Coco (@cocoharris00) <a href="https://twitter.com/cocoharris00/status/1955115705734414827?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>"Taylor Swift x Sabrina Carpenter incoming", wrote the third user. Excitement is already high, and fans are eagerly waiting for any update regarding this, given the theories.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">taylor swift x sabrina carpenter incoming <a href="https://t.co/pVtyuqdjM4">pic.twitter.com/pVtyuqdjM4</a></p>&mdash; natalie! ❤️‍🔥 (@beyourswift) <a href="https://twitter.com/beyourswift/status/1955103892116582726?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<p>For the unversed, the two global sensations, Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, have performed together at the former's Eras Tour concert in New Orleans. They sang songs including a mash-up of Swift's<i> Is It Over Now?</i>, <i>Espresso </i>and <i>Please </i>among others.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/shrek-5-delayed-again-set-to-release-in-summer-2027-check-release-date-inside-1754967598112"><strong>Shrek 5 delayed again! Set to release in summer 2027, check release date inside</strong></a></p><h2>All about Taylor Swift's latest album</h2><p><i>The Life of a Showgirl </i>is Taylor Swift's 12th studio album. It is scheduled to be released through Republic Records and has been made available for pre-order on Swift's website. She announced the album today through her website, following a countdown expiring at 12:12 am.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/birthday-special-from-kedarnath-to-metro-in-dino-a-look-at-sara-ali-khan-s-on-screen-journey-1754979246228"><strong>From Kedarnath to Metro... In Dino: A look at Sara Ali Khan’s on-screen journey</strong></a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Swift appeared in the teaser of her appearance on the weekly sports podcast New Heights, hosted by her boyfriend and Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce and his brother Jason, in which she displayed the blurred album artwork.&nbsp;</p>

There are speculations by netizens that Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter might be collaborating after the former announces her 12th studio album titled The Life of a Showgirl.

Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift are currently two of the most renowned singers who have gained global fame through their hit tracks. The duo, who share a close bond, mutual admiration, and it deepened more when they performed together for Swift's Eras Tour. After Taylor Swift announced her 12th album titled The Life of a Showgirl, several theories by netizens have flooded social media.

<p>There are speculations by netizens that Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter might be collaborating after the former announces her 12th studio album titled The Life of a Showgirl.</p>

Taylor Swift collaborating with Sabrina Carpenter?  Netizens come up with several theories post former's 12th album announcement

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Why Sabrina Carpenter is facing criticism over her Coachella set reaction

White House continues to 'rage-bait' artists, uses SZA's song in 'evil' ICE vid

MTV VMA Highlights 2025: Everything happened at Video Music Awards event

Taylor Swift to collab with Sabrina Carpenter? Netizens come up with theories