Sabrina Carpenter didn’t just show up to the O2 Arena in London for the 2025 BRIT Awards. She basically took the building over. Honestly, if you were watching the live broadcast on March 1st, you know exactly why the internet went into a complete meltdown for the next 48 hours. It wasn't just the win. It was the chaos.
The Performance That Broke the Watershed
There’s a thing in the UK called "the watershed." It’s that 9 p.m. cutoff where TV is allowed to get a bit more... adult. Sabrina clearly didn't get the memo, or more likely, she just didn't care. Opening the show before the clock hit nine, she rolled out a mash-up of "Espresso" and "Bed Chem" that had parents frantically looking for the remote.
She started out as a "hot girl majorette" in a sparkling red military blazer, surrounded by dancers dressed like the King’s Guard. Very London. Very patriotic. But then, the jacket came off.
Suddenly, she’s in custom Victoria's Secret lingerie, doing choreography on a heart-shaped bed with her legs in the air. Over 800 people actually complained to Ofcom about it. To be fair, Sabrina's response was peak Sabrina. She later posted on Instagram: "i now know what watershed is!!!!"
That Global Success Win
Controversy aside, the night was actually historical for her career. She took home the Global Success Award. Now, usually, this is a "British only" club—think Adele, Ed Sheeran, and One Direction.
Sabrina became the first-ever international artist to win it.
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Millie Bobby Brown handed her the trophy, and it felt like a massive "I've arrived" moment for someone who spent years grinding in the Disney machine before "Espresso" turned her into a household name. She was also up for International Artist of the Year and International Song of the Year, though Chappell Roan ended up snagging those later in the night.
The Red Carpet Look
Before the "Rule Britannia" lingerie madness, Sabrina hit the carpet in something surprisingly soft. She wore a romantic, pale pink Alexander McQueen gown from the Spring/Summer 2025 collection. It was all frayed edges, delicate lace panels, and shimmering sequins.
- Designer: Alexander McQueen
- Vibe: Ethereal Disney princess with a rock-and-roll edge
- Accessories: A massive diamond necklace and her signature voluminous blonde curls
It was a sharp contrast to the red-hot performance outfit, proving she can do high-fashion elegance just as easily as she can do pop-star camp.
Why People Are Still Talking About It
The BRITs performance wasn't just about the "scandalous" outfits. It was about the theatricality. She leaned into the humor, even including "intentional malfunctions" like a baton toss that went flying and dancers "accidentally" bumping into each other. It was a self-aware nod to her own viral tour moments.
Critics called it "cheap," but fans called it "iconic." The reality? It worked. Following the show, her album Short n' Sweet jumped back up to number one on the UK charts, and "Bed Chem" saw a massive spike in streams.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re trying to keep up with the Sabrina wave heading into late 2026, here is what you actually need to do:
- Watch the Unedited Performance: If you only saw the TV snippets, find the full "Espresso/Bed Chem" mash-up on YouTube. The transition from the military march to the "Bed Chem" cabaret is where the real artistry (and the Ofcom complaints) lives.
- Track the 2026 Nominations: With the 2026 BRIT Awards nominations set for late January, keep an eye on her new project Man's Best Friend. The lead single "Manchild" is already stirring up its own drama, and she’s expected to be a heavy hitter again.
- Understand the "Watershed" Context: If you're a US fan, the backlash might seem weird. In the UK, the 9 p.m. rule is a major cultural thing. Understanding that helps you see why her "I now know what watershed is" joke was actually a very smart PR move.
The 2025 BRITs didn't just give her a trophy; they gave her a permanent spot in UK pop culture history. Whether you loved the lingerie or hated the "Rule Britannia" remix, you couldn't look away.