Carly Simon Defends Sabrina Carpenter Over Artwork Backlash: 'It Seems Tame'

Days after Sabrina Carpenter received criticism for the potentially demeaning artwork utilised for her forthcoming album, Carly Simon has come forth to defend the young singer.

The controversy relates to the cover image Carpenter announced for her new album, Man’s Best Friend. The picture in question shows Carpenter in a black dress and stilettos posing on her knees as a man in a black suit grips a fistful of her hair.

The album title itself could be ironic or satirical, but paired with the album cover and another image Carpenter posted of a dog wearing a collar with the tag “Man’s Best Friend,” it has been deemed demeaning towards women.

Simon – who is best known for her Grammy-nominated 1972 chart-topper You’re So Vain – spoke to Rolling Stone about Carpenter’s situation, with the Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer undeniably qualified to step in to comment on the topic, given her own experience with such backlash.

In 1975, Simon’s fifth album, Playing Possum, also generated backlash for featuring a kneeling image of musician wearing black negligee and knee-high boots. It was in stark contrast to the previous year’s Hotcakes album, which depicted a smiling image of Simon, pregnant with her first child.

“I remember thinking, if this works, it’ll also let people see that I’ve gotten my body back,” Simon remembered. “No one thought about what it might convey,” added photographer Norman Seeff. “It was a fascinating, unique image and it left a lot to the imagination.”

While much of the backlash centred around what the cover may represent, Simon acknowledges some parallels between the circumstances that Carpenter finds herself in, though notes it’s nothing particularly new.

“She’s not doing anything outrageous,” Simon posits. “It seems tame. There have been far flashier covers than hers.

“One of the most startling covers I’ve ever seen was [The Rolling Stones’] Sticky Fingers. That was out there in terms of sexual attitude. So I don’t know why she’s getting such flak.”

Simon also reflected on the feedback that Carpenter has been receiving in reaction to the cover, noting the controversy ultimately serves to put more eyes on the singer’s upcoming album.

“Well, any press is good press, so I wouldn’t worry about the press,” she explains. “And as far as her being salacious, I certainly don’t think it’s that. I mean, look at all of the people who dress much more scantily.

“She’s so beautiful, and she should be proud of herself and the way she looks. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”