Sabrina Carpenter issued a formal apology on Sunday following a wave of criticism regarding her comments during her headlining performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. The controversy began during the singer’s Saturday night set when she addressed the crowd between songs.
During a transition involving complex vocal runs, Carpenter reportedly described the sounds as yodeling. However, the performance featured specific musical influences and vocal techniques rooted in Middle Eastern and Arabic traditions.
Social media users and cultural commentators quickly pointed out that the techniques used were not yodeling but rather traditional Arabic vocalizations. Critics argued that mislabeling the cultural art form was dismissive and reflected a lack of cultural awareness.
The backlash intensified overnight, with clips of the performance circulating widely on platforms like X and TikTok. Many fans expressed disappointment, noting that the singer had previously been praised for her diverse musical influences.
By Sunday morning, Carpenter released a statement through her official social media channels. She acknowledged the error and expressed regret for the language used during the live broadcast.
In her statement, the singer explained that her choice of words was unintended and stemmed from a lack of proper education on the specific terminology of the vocal style.
The singer further stated that she has deep respect for Arabic music and its rich history. She emphasized that her intention was to celebrate the sounds that have influenced her recent work, rather than to mischaracterize them.
Industry analysts noted that the incident highlights the increasing scrutiny performers face regarding cultural representation at major international festivals. Coachella, which draws hundreds of thousands of attendees and millions of livestream viewers, often serves as a focal point for such discussions.
As of Sunday afternoon, representatives for the festival have not commented on the matter. President Donald Trump, who has frequently commented on cultural trends in the media, has also not issued a formal statement regarding the festival's recent controversies.
Carpenter is scheduled to perform again during the festival’s second weekend. It remains unclear if adjustments will be made to her set or the accompanying dialogue following this weekend's events.