Sabrina Carpenter has candidly revealed the deeply personal inspiration behind her 2022 album, sharing that a significant heartbreak was the driving force behind much of the record’s emotional depth.
In an interview with Vogue, the “Espresso” singer reflected on the painful breakup that shaped her music, calling it her “biggest heartbreak to date” and “my first real one.” The album, which Carpenter described as her “first big-girl album,” marked a transformative moment in her career where she truly took the reins in crafting her sound and message.
She explained, “It was my first time really, really getting to sit and steer the whole thing,” pointing to how this heartbreak gave her the space to explore her emotions and reflect on love in a way she never had before. Carpenter, who has been linked to high-profile figures such as Joshua Bassett, Shawn Mendes, and Barry Keoghan, admitted that this heartbreak left a lasting impact. “I hate to say that,” she added, laughing, “but it definitely makes all my exes before that feel like… I don’t mean to do that.” The experience, she said, taught her how to truly grieve someone who’s still alive.
But it’s not just her personal life that Sabrina has opened up about. In a previous interview with Paper magazine, she revealed that there’s much more to her than her chart-topping singles. “There’s more to me than my (hit songs),” she shared, explaining that while she may seem confident at times, other days she struggles with anxiety and self-doubt. “There’s a person under there that some days feels really confident and some days literally just can’t get out of bed,” she admitted.
Sabrina’s vulnerability extends to her music-making process as well. Ahead of the release of her 2024 album Short n’ Sweet, which featured hits like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” the singer confessed to feeling anxious about putting her emotions out into the world. “I get so scared to share anything,” she said, highlighting the rawness and honesty that defines her work.
From Girl Meets World to global pop stardom, Sabrina Carpenter continues to evolve as both an artist and a person, allowing her fans to see the real, unfiltered side of her journey.
