"That's that me espresso." Five words that launched Sabrina Carpenter from "that blonde girl from Disney" to the unavoidable pop star of 2024.
But Sabrina didn't get here by accident. Behind the seemingly overnight success is a decade of grinding, strategic positioning, and waiting for her moment. Now 25, she's finally the main character—and she's not giving up the spotlight.
The Disney Purgatory (2011-2019)
Sabrina Carpenter joined Disney at 12, signing with Hollywood Records before she had a TV show. She was positioned as the next Miley Cyrus—a girl who could act AND sing.
She got the show: Girl Meets World, a Boy Meets World sequel. She released albums. She toured small venues. And then... nothing exploded.
The problem wasn't talent—Sabrina had pipes and charisma. The problem was timing:
- Teen pop was out of fashion
- Streaming was killing album sales
- Disney's star machine was breaking down
- She was always second to someone else
For most of her teenage years, Sabrina was the "other" Disney girl. Not Dove Cameron. Not Zendaya. The other one.
The Pivot Nobody Noticed (2019-2022)
When Girl Meets World ended, Sabrina did something smart: she went underground. She:
- Took roles in small films
- Released music without major label push
- Built a devoted small fanbase
- Worked on her craft obsessively
She also made a crucial creative decision: she went darker, funnier, and sexier than Disney would have allowed. Her 2022 album emails i can't send showcased:
- Lyrics about sex, betrayal, and insecurity
- A more sophisticated sound
- A persona that was witty, not wholesome
- Songs clearly about real experiences
One of those experiences: her relationship with Joshua Bassett, who allegedly left her for Olivia Rodrigo. Those songs added "scorned woman" to her narrative.
The Taylor Swift Co-Sign (2023)
Sabrina's break came from an unexpected source: Taylor Swift invited her to open the Eras Tour.
This wasn't charity—Taylor saw something. And every night, Sabrina performed for 70,000+ people who came for someone else. She had to win them over in 30 minutes.
She did. By the tour's end, she had:
- Millions of new followers
- Industry attention
- Songs going viral on TikTok
- The confidence of someone who'd performed for stadiums
Opening for Taylor wasn't an opportunity—it was an audition. Sabrina passed.
"Espresso" Changes Everything (2024)
"Espresso" was engineered for virality. Everything about it was calculated:
- The hook is immediate and repeatable
- The lyrics are quotable on every social platform
- The beat works for gym playlists, pregames, and driving
- It's exactly 2:55—perfect streaming length
But calculation without execution is nothing. Sabrina delivered:
- A vocal performance that's confident without showing off
- A music video that launched fashion trends
- A personality—funny, sexy, self-aware—that exploded on TikTok
- Live performances that proved she wasn't a studio creation
"Espresso" didn't just go viral—it became part of the cultural conversation. It was played at sporting events, used in proposals, referenced by celebrities. It was inescapable.
"Please Please Please" Seals It
The follow-up single, "Please Please Please," proved "Espresso" wasn't a fluke. It went #1 in multiple countries and added another dimension to Sabrina's persona: the girl who dates guys who embarrass her.
The song was also rumored to be about her boyfriend Barry Keoghan—which Barry confirmed by appearing in the music video. The press went crazy.
Now she had:
- Two massive hits
- A famous boyfriend
- A clear public persona
- Album anticipation at fever pitch
Short n' Sweet Dominates (2024)
Sabrina's album debuted at #1 in multiple countries and became one of the year's biggest pop releases. The title is self-aware (she's 5'1") and the content delivered:
- More witty, horny, confident songs
- Strong vocal performances throughout
- A cohesive aesthetic that translated to tour
- Zero filler tracks
Critics praised her as a "real pop star" in an era of algorithm-chasing singles. She wasn't just making songs—she was making an album experience.
The Tour That Proved Everything
Sabrina's Short n' Sweet tour became one of the hottest tickets of 2024:
- Arena shows sold out in minutes
- Resale prices hit thousands
- Costumes went viral on TikTok
- Every show spawned social media content
She proved she could hold an arena alone—no opener needed. She had enough hits now. She had the fanbase. She had arrived.
The Barry Keoghan Factor
Dating one of Hollywood's most acclaimed actors added another layer to Sabrina's profile:
- She's now on acting radars
- They're a "fashion couple" at events
- His credibility adds to her edge
- Their relationship generates constant press
Some worried she'd become known as "Barry's girlfriend." Instead, they've become a power couple where both halves are independently successful.
What Makes Sabrina Different
In a landscape of hyperpop maximalism and sad-girl acoustics, Sabrina carved a middle lane:
- She's sexy but witty—not just hot, also funny
- She's vulnerable but confident—not tortured
- She's calculated but genuine—not fake
- She's accessible but not basic—she has taste
She also has something rare: actual performing chops. She can sing live, dance, be funny between songs, and command a room. She's a throwback to the era when pop stars were entertainers, not just content creators.
Where She Goes From Here
At 25, Sabrina Carpenter is just entering her prime:
- Acting opportunities will increase
- Headlining festivals is certain
- Brand deals will multiply
- Collaborations with major artists are coming
The question isn't whether she'll stay famous—it's whether she can evolve. Pop fame is brutal. What worked at 25 won't work at 30.
But Sabrina's already shown she can pivot. She went from Disney to dark pop to arena star. She's a student of the game.
The Lesson
Sabrina Carpenter spent 13 years in the industry before becoming an "overnight success." She watched others blow up while she ground it out. She opened for someone else's stadium tour.
But she kept going. And when her moment came, she was ready.
"Espresso" didn't make Sabrina Carpenter a star—it revealed she already was one.
Now the whole world knows.
