Sabrina Carpenter has apologised after a comments she made during her Coachella headline set sparked backlash. The 26-year-old singer responded to a fan who performed a Zaghrouta, a traditional Arabic celebratory trill, by comparing it to yodelling and saying she did not like it.
Speaking into the microphone during her Old Hollywood-themed performance on Friday 10 April, Carpenter said: “I think I heard someone yodel. Is that what you’re doing? I don’t like it.” When the fan shouted back that it was part of their culture, Carpenter replied: “That’s your culture, is yodelling?” The fan explained it was a call of celebration, to which Carpenter responded: “Is this Burning Man? What’s going on? This is weird.”
The exchange quickly went viral on social media, with many accusing Carpenter of cultural insensitivity. However, others defended the singer, with one person writing: “She’s a pop star, not a f***ing anthropologist, leave Sabrina Carpenter alone.”
On Saturday 12 April, Carpenter issued an apology on X. She wrote: “My apologies, I didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly. My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. Could have handled it better! Now I know what a Zaghrouta is! I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out.”
Carpenter’s set also featured cameos from Will Ferrell, Sam Elliott, and Susan Sarandon, who delivered a seven-minute monologue as an older version of the singer. The three-night festival continues with Justin Bieber and Karol G as the remaining headliners.
