Sabrina Carpenter Set the MTV VMAs 2024 On Tuesday night, the stage was on fire and they delivered a powerful medley of their huge hits “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and “Espresso” – but the fans were not impressed.

After swooping in with a sparkling flourish, Sabrina Carpenter hit the VMAs runway and seamlessly transitioned into her latest hit, “Taste.” But things got exciting when she recreated the infamous make-out scene from the song’s music video.

This time, however, instead of Jenna Ortega and Rohan Campbell, Sabrina Carpenter kissed an alien, which many found “inappropriate” and “tasteless.”

Sabrina Carpenter kisses an alien during her VMA performance

The legendary Cyndi Lauper introduced the former Disney Channel star, praising Sabrina as a “wonderful songwriter” before dropping a mic-worthy line, telling the crowd to “get ready for the whole place to say ‘motherf-cker’!”

And she wasn’t kidding—Sabrina kicked off her VMA debut with a sparkling silver swing and stunned the crowd with a performance that exuded pure pop magic, even if viewers at home thought otherwise.

“Inappropriate, embarrassing and they really want to push anything that is sexual and also there are kids watching,” one social media user commented on a video of Sabrina’s performance, particularly when she kissed the alien. “A long time ago when the VMAs were all about celebrating good music.”

“Immediately not. So completely inappropriate,” said another.

“Artists are sinking to new lows to get attention,” wrote a third.

Fans criticize Sabrina Carpenter for her performance at the VMAs

The comments continued to pour in, with one Instagram user putting it this way: “Absolutely disgraceful. Performing mock oral sex on stage is NOTHING to be praised for. Two women kissing is not something to be applauded for. This is not art, this is porn. She and everyone who had anything to do with the show should be ashamed of themselves.”

Another called her performance “tasteless” and another described it as “completely inappropriate.”

“Disturbing on every level!! What happened to a simple, fun, normal live performance??” one social media user commented. “No wonder our youth are struggling with so many problems. Just look at the content that is constantly being forced upon them.”

Sabrina Carpenter is criticized for “inappropriate” performance on the topic of “oral sex”

Many others criticized the former Disney Channel star for her kiss with the alien.

“No! So many little girls are in love with this stupid song and it’s not OK to show them that inappropriate or sexual content is not OK,” said one user. “Again, parents have the power to allow it or not; for me, it’s a no.”

“I hate this world now,” wrote another.

“I really tried to provoke people. But as far as performance goes… there was almost no stage presence,” said a third. “At least Miley (Cyrus) brings energy when she does embarrassing things!”

Another said the idea seemed “a bit desperate,” and a third called it “so inappropriate. Everything is demonic and overly sexual, it’s horrific. This world is literally going to the dogs.”

“So that’s their vision? The essence is lost,” asked another. “The artistic talent is lost. Everyone has lost their minds.”

Sabrina Carpenter had a Marilyn Monroe moment

With the help of her stylist Jared Ellner, Sabrina teamed up with celebrity-favorite vintage shop Tab Vintage to create a stunning look that had fans talking.

“Their stylist, Jared Ellner, and his team sent us a really incredible mood board,” Tab’s owner Alexis Novak told Vogue. “We sent them a set of pieces we had in that direction and we are so happy with their decision!”

With its intricate beadwork and timeless elegance, the vintage Bob Mackie piece turned heads. “It was originally designed for Madonna’s performance at the Academy Awards. It was inspired by Marilyn Monroe in ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ and made headlines when she wore it,” Novak said.

Sabrina Carpenter is the big winner at the VMAs

Aside from her controversial performance at the VMAs, Sabrina Carpenter won Song of the Year for “Espresso.”

The pop sensation took a moment during her acceptance speech to thank her loyal fans, who she called the “best fans in the world,” and also sent warm thanks to her managers, family, furry friends, and of course, her collaborators on her chart-topping hit “Espresso.”