You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve probably seen the "Jesus was a Carpenter" t-shirts. Maybe you even saw the viral clips of a priest in Brooklyn losing his job over a music video involving pastel coffins and a lot of black lace. It seems like every time Sabrina Carpenter breathes lately, the conversation eventually circles back to one specific question: is Sabrina Carpenter Christian?
It’s a fair thing to ask. In a world where pop stars often treat religious iconography like a Pinterest board, figuring out what they actually believe is tough. Honestly, it’s kinda complicated. She doesn’t fit into a neat little box where she’s either a "Christian Artist" or a total atheist. She exists in that blurry middle ground that makes the internet go crazy.
The "Feather" Incident That Started It All
We have to talk about the church. If you aren't caught up, back in 2023, Sabrina released the music video for her hit "Feather." It was filmed at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Brooklyn. In the video, she’s dancing around the altar in a short black dress, surrounded by colorful coffins of men who basically died for her attention.
The backlash was instant. The Diocese of Brooklyn was "appalled." Bishop Robert Brennan had to perform a Mass of Reparation to "restore the sanctity" of the building. Even wilder? The priest who approved the shoot, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello, was stripped of his administrative duties.
When Variety asked her about the chaos, she dropped the line that became an instant meme: "We got approval in advance... and Jesus was a carpenter."
That quip didn't exactly scream "devout believer" to the critics. To many, it felt like she was poking fun at the very foundation of the faith. But if you look closer, her relationship with religion seems less about mockery and more about a complicated, lifelong familiarity.
So, Was She Raised Religious?
Sabrina grew up in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. It’s a pretty standard suburban upbringing, but there’s a twist that always comes up in the "is Sabrina Carpenter Christian" debate: her family ties to Scientology.
🔗 Read more: Is Bret Michaels hair real? What most people get wrong
Her aunt is Nancy Cartwright—the legendary voice of Bart Simpson and a high-profile donor to the Church of Scientology. This has led to endless Reddit rabbit holes and TikTok theories. However, there is zero public evidence that Sabrina herself is a practicing Scientologist. In fact, she’s poked fun at "cult" rumors in the past, which most people in that organization wouldn't dare do.
On the Christian front, she has referenced the Bible in ways that suggest she knows the text. In a 2021 interview with People, she mentioned a specific scripture about "idol worship." She said she doesn't want to be worshipped because she sees how dangerous that is for celebrities.
"I don’t want to be worshipped, because there’s a scripture in my Bible that talks about idol worship. And I see that happening all the time... but if I can set an example, then that’s great."
That "my Bible" comment is interesting. It implies a personal connection, even if she isn't sitting in a pew every Sunday morning.
The Dolly Parton Connection
If you want to know where someone stands, look at who they respect. Recently, Sabrina collaborated with the legendary Dolly Parton. Dolly is famously, vocally Christian. She’s also very protective of her faith.
Dolly told Premier Christian News that she had some ground rules for Sabrina before they worked together. She basically told her: "I don't cuss. I don't make fun of Jesus. I don't talk bad about God."
The fact that Sabrina—who is known for her cheeky, often suggestive "Nonsense" outros—was able to find common ground with Dolly says a lot. She seems to have a deep respect for the "old school" faith of her idols, even if her own "Short n' Sweet" brand is built on being a bit of a provocateur.
Is Sabrina Carpenter Christian? The Final Verdict
Let’s be real. If you’re looking for a "Yes" or "No," you’re probably going to be disappointed.
She hasn't claimed the label "Christian" in a formal way. She also hasn't denounced it. She uses Christian imagery—crosses, churches, funeral aesthetics—as a way to explore themes of death, rebirth, and femininity. For some, that’s blasphemy. For others, it’s just art.
Here is what we actually know:
- She was raised in a household with diverse influences (including a Scientologist aunt).
- She identifies with certain Biblical teachings, specifically regarding the dangers of fame.
- She is comfortable using religious settings for her work, which suggests she views the Church more as a cultural landmark than a forbidden "holy of holies."
- She maintains a respectful (if slightly sassy) dialogue with religious figures like Dolly Parton.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Critics:
💡 You might also like: How Old is Jessica Seinfeld? What People Always Get Wrong
If you’re trying to navigate her content through a faith-based lens, it helps to separate the artist from the "aesthetic." Sabrina is a storyteller. When she films in a church, she's usually telling a story about the "death" of a toxic relationship, not the death of a religion.
- Check the Lyrics: Listen to "Vicious" or "emails i can't send." You'll find themes of forgiveness and moral reckoning that are deeply rooted in traditional values, even if the "Feather" video felt irreverent.
- Respect the Context: The "Jesus was a carpenter" comment was a play on her last name. It’s a pun, not a theological statement.
- Look at the Work: Most of her "controversial" moments come from her music videos, while her interviews tend to be much more grounded and thoughtful about spirituality.
Ultimately, her faith—or lack thereof—is her own business. But in the court of public opinion, she remains one of the most fascinating examples of a Gen Z star wrestling with religious themes in the spotlight.