From Red Carpet Glam to Lingerie-Inspired Performance, Carpenter Pays Homage to Pop Icons While Showcasing Her Own Bold Style
Sabrina Carpenter lit up the stage at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, delivering a performance that fused daring fashion with nods to pop history. The 26-year-old singer, known for her fearless style and love of vintage references, seemingly channeled Britney Spears’ iconic 2001 Dream Within a Dream Tour look during her performance of “Tears” at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York.
Carpenter opened her evening in a show-stopping ensemble—a see-through red custom Valentino gown adorned with strategically placed floral sequins—before moving through a series of bold outfit changes. By the time she hit the stage for her performance, she was wearing a sparkling fringe top and matching miniskirt. Midway through, she stripped down to a daring bedazzled bra halter top paired with sequin micro shorts and glittery tights, a look that drew immediate comparisons to Spears’ famed diamonds outfit from her televised “…Baby One More Time” performance. The resemblance, first noted by outlets including InStyle and Marie Claire, paid tribute to the pop icon who famously danced in the rain and defined early-2000s VMA moments.
Spears, now 43, originally wore the blinged-out bra, underwear, and armbands for her HBO concert special. Items from that outfit fetched nearly $78,000 at Julien’s Auctions in April 2025, highlighting the lasting influence of her stage style. Carpenter’s homage fits within her pattern of referencing iconic looks, including a 2003 lingerie-inspired outfit previously modeled after Naomi Campbell.
The night was as much a fashion showcase as a musical celebration for Carpenter, who changed into four distinct looks. After her red carpet entrance, she transitioned to a corset black dress with colored beading while accepting the Best Album Award for her 2024 release Short n’ Sweet, which features hits like “Espresso” and “Please, Please, Please.”
Despite the tribute to Spears, the Piece of Me singer was not performing at the VMAs, with sources confirming that recent comeback rumors were unfounded. Nevertheless, Spears’ legacy—ranging from her 2001 python-accompanied “I’m a Slave 4 U” performance to her controversial 2007 Gimme More performance—was felt throughout Carpenter’s daring homage.
With eight nominations and multiple performance outfits, Carpenter reminded fans why she continues to push the boundaries of fashion and performance, blending nostalgia with modern boldness. The 2025 MTV VMAs, airing live on CBS and MTV and streaming on Paramount+, proved once again that Carpenter is a star unafraid to make a statement on and off the stage.
