During Sabrina Carpenter’s 2025 performance at Austin City Limits (ACL), a surprising moment unfolded when she staged an arrest involving actor Joe Keery, sparking fresh buzz around the event. The playful stunt took place on October 4, combining Carpenter’s charm with a fun twist on the season’s theme, drawing enthusiastic reactions from fans and social media alike.
Joe Keery’s Onstage “Arrest” Adds Flair to Carpenter’s Performance
<pBefore starting her song Juno at ACL 2025, Sabrina Carpenter singled out Joe Keery from the crowd in an engaging exchange. After asking his name and hearing “Joe” called back, she greeted him warmly and asked where he was from. When Keery said “Boston,” Carpenter responded with a light-hearted rhyme: “Boston? Damn it! Rhymes with Austin, though. It’s close enough.”
Carpenter then pointed to the timing of the event, quipping,
“You know, Joe, it’s actually cuffing season. I don’t know if you know that.”
Keery willingly extended his wrists as Carpenter playfully held handcuffs, teasing him by saying,
“You seem very eager, actually. This is so rare,”
before handing over the cuffs and declaring,
“Okay, you’re the one. We did it, Joe.”
Keery responded by twirling the handcuffs while Carpenter announced to the audience,
“I’m gonna sing this next song,”
and dedicated it to him, saying,
“This is dedicated to Joe, everybody.”
As she sang, Carpenter altered the lyrics in Juno from
“Oh, I hear you knockin’, baby, come on up”
to the personalized,
“Oh, I hear you knockin’, Joe, come on up.”
A Recurring Playful Ritual in Carpenter’s Shows
This cuffing season arrest moment with Joe Keery is part of a playful routine Sabrina Carpenter introduced on her 2024 Short n’ Sweet Tour, in which she “arrests” a special guest just before performing Juno. Previous participants in this segment have featured well-known figures like Millie Bobby Brown and Ayo Edebiri, adding an element of surprise and connection during her live shows.
Fan Reaction and Social Media Buzz
The light, flirtatious interaction between Carpenter and Keery delighted the audience at ACL 2025, quickly sparking viral attention online. Fans appreciated the chemistry displayed onstage, and the stunt contributed to increased speculation about the two following each other on Instagram. This playful arrest highlighted a memorable moment during the festival and created a social media moment that resonated widely.
This spirited exchange also underscored the creative ways performers like Carpenter engage with their audience through spontaneous, personal moments. With Joe Keery’s unexpected “arrest” during Juno, the scene stands out as a unique blend of music, humor, and celebrity interaction that many are eager to see repeated in future performances.
Sabrina Carpenter arresting DJO (Joe Keery) for ‘Juno’ at Austin City Limits.pic.twitter.com/05ekz2UQgq
— Sabrina Carpenter Daily (@SCdailyupdates) October 5, 2025
“I hear you knocking Joe” is part of the official lyrics for “Juno” by Sabrina Carpenter from now on.pic.twitter.com/kcGmwIyPnk
— Terrible Pics (@TerriblePic) October 5, 2025
