Colman Domingo is standing firm amid criticism for his drag performance in Sabrina Carpenter’s latest music video. The Oscar-nominated actor appears in Carpenter’s new single “Tears,” where he embraces a bold drag character inspired by The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s iconic Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Despite some social media backlash targeting his appearance, Domingo confidently dismissed the negativity in a recent response.
The video’s release sparked mixed reactions on social platforms. One user remarked,
Hollywood ain’t s—. Colman Domingo is a solid actor… Had to put him in drag in Sabrina Carpenter’s video huh? Bulls—.
Domingo, who was not directly mentioned in this message, replied calmly,
It’s a character. Like all the characters I play. Calm down brother,
followed by,
Enjoy the video and the fun that it possesses. Dance it out! It ain’t that deep.
He further shared a quote from drag icon RuPaul, emphasizing the fluidity of self-expression:
‘We are born naked and everything else is drag.’ Suits, t-shirts, dresses. All drag.
The Visual Storyline and Domingo’s Role in “Tears”
The “Tears” music video picks up on themes from Carpenter’s earlier work, continuing the narrative from her “Manchild” video. In the new release, Carpenter’s character emerges from a car crash, visibly shaken, and is met by Domingo’s striking drag persona. He offers her a glamorous makeover and leads her into a vibrant disco dance sequence alongside other drag performers. Throughout the video, Carpenter sings about longing for a partner who treats her with basic respect and kindness.
The unexpected casting of Domingo drew attention from fans upon the video’s debut. One social media user shared a clip with the caption,
Colman Domingo dancing in drag with Sabrina Carpenter was not on my bingo card for 2025 but here we are!
Domingo responded humorously by resharing the post with a laugh-crying emoji and writing,
Didn’t see that coming did ya? Thank you Sabs for inviting me to truly play.
Anticipation and Reactions Before the Video Premiere
Domingo teased his appearance right before the video launched, posting late on Friday night with the words,
About to break the internet. Tears. Protect all the Dolls,
supporting trans women with this phrase. The video was directed by Bardia Zeinali and coincided with Carpenter’s release of her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend.
Carpenter expressed her admiration for Domingo on Instagram, calling him
the truly incomparable, magnetic, and fantastic Colman Domingo,
while nostalgically adding,
wish we were still dancing in the street at 4 am.
She also described him as you are a DREAM in reaction to his post, highlighting their creative synergy.
The Broader Significance of Domingo’s Drag Video Response
Domingo’s confident defense highlights how actors navigate public perception while exploring diverse roles. By invoking RuPaul’s message on drag as a universal form of self-presentation, Domingo encourages viewers to approach his performance with an open mind and appreciation for artistic expression. His role in the video, combined with Carpenter’s empowering lyrics, engages with contemporary conversations about identity, acceptance, and respect.
The collaboration between Domingo and Carpenter brings a fresh, dynamic energy to the music video and reinforces the cultural relevance of drag in mainstream media. As audiences continue to discuss Domingo’s drag video response, it remains clear that his artistic choices will provoke thought and inspire dialogue about performance, representation, and creativity moving forward.
