At the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, Sabrina Carpenter delivered a captivating performance of her song Tears, which earned her three awards that night. Her energetic display and the meaningful message behind it caught the attention of actor Pedro Pascal, who publicly showed his admiration for her on social media. This interaction was notable since the two had collaborated earlier this year on a sketch for Saturday Night Live.
Instagram Tribute Highlights Symbolism and Advocacy
Pedro Pascal shared a still image from Carpenter’s Tears performance on his Instagram stories, spotlighting her striking appearance. In the photo, the 26-year-old singer wore a jeweled bra and black pants, with her wet hair falling naturally—an homage to Britney Spears‘ famous rain-soaked look from the 2001 Dream Within a Dream tour. She stood centered on stage, flanked by two men dressed as police officers and others in casual outfits, visually emphasizing the powerful scene.
Beyond the aesthetic, the performance included important advocacy elements. Several stage performers held signs promoting trans rights, with messages like In Trans We Trust and Protect Trans Rights. This gesture aligned closely with Pascal’s history of supporting the trans community, partly influenced by his sister Lux, who came out as a trans woman in 2021.
Pedro Pascal’s History of Supporting Trans Rights
Pascal has been vocal about his support for transgender rights and has publicly criticized figures who express anti-trans views. Earlier this year, he condemned author J.K. Rowling—known for her controversial opinions about the trans community—referring to her as a heinous loser in response to calls to boycott the Harry Potter franchise. His endorsement of Carpenter’s trans rights advocacy during the VMAs likely motivated his social media recognition of her performance.
Sabrina Carpenter Addresses Advocacy During Acceptance Speech
When accepting the MTV VMA for Best Album, Carpenter took a moment to reflect on the significance of her performance and the support for trans rights she exhibited on stage. She acknowledged the negativity often found in the world and expressed gratitude for being part of a moment that uplifts and inspires. She stated,
“This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,”
and continued,
“So to get to be part of something that can bring light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f*****g oyster. I’m so grateful to do that.”
—Sabrina Carpenter, Singer and Actress
Impact and Future Implications of Their Support
The mutual respect between Pedro Pascal and Sabrina Carpenter highlights an important cultural moment whereby high-profile entertainers use their platforms to advocate for social justice causes. Carpenter’s powerful performance, supported by Pascal’s public endorsement, brings wider attention to transgender rights within the entertainment industry and beyond. Their collaboration and shared values may encourage more artists and public figures to engage openly in similar advocacy efforts going forward.
