If you grew up watching Girl Meets World, you probably spent a good chunk of your time wishing you had a friendship like Riley and Maya. The bay window. The "Thunder" and "Lightning." The chemistry between Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter felt so real because, for a long time, it was.
But then the show ended in 2017. And the world changed.
Suddenly, the two girls who were inseparable on our TV screens seemed to drift into completely different universes. While Sabrina was climbing the charts with hits like "Espresso" and winning Grammys in 2025, Rowan was taking a vastly different path, leaning into high-fashion modeling and vocal political activism. Fans have been obsessing over whether they’re still friends or if there was some massive, secret fallout behind the scenes.
The Disney Days: More Than Just Co-Stars
Let’s be real—Disney has a history of "casting" best friends who actually hate each other. But with Rowan and Sabrina, it didn't start that way. In 2014, Rowan posted a photo saying that during their auditions, the "men in suits" told them to go outside and bond. They clicked instantly.
They weren't just working together; they were growing up together. They did three years of online homeschool French together. They went to Disneyland for birthdays. When the show got canceled, their tributes were genuinely heartbreaking. Sabrina talked about feeling "safe" in that bay window, and Rowan called the cast her family.
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That 2018 Paris Reunion
For anyone doubting they stayed close after the finale, the 2018 Paris Fashion Week reunion was the "smoking gun" of their friendship. They ran into each other in the City of Light and posted the most nostalgic selfies ever. Rowan’s comment basically won the internet: "3 years of online homeschool French together, and we f***** made it to Paris baby."
It felt like the Riley and Maya story had a happy, real-life ending. But after that? The trail goes a bit cold.
Why People Think There's Beef (The Reality is Broader)
Social media is a curse for celebrity friendships. If you don't like a photo within five minutes, people assume you're in a legal battle. With Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter, the "feud" rumors mostly stem from silence.
As Sabrina’s music career exploded—especially with the massive success of Short n' Sweet and her 2025 Grammy win for Best Pop Vocal Album—her brand became very "polished pop star." Rowan, on the other hand, became known for being extremely outspoken on social media about everything from human rights to niche political theory.
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The "Biphobia" Controversy: In recent years, Rowan faced backlash after being called out by fellow actress Auli'i Cravalho on TikTok regarding past social media likes and comments. While Rowan has identified as queer since 2016, these public "cancellations" created a PR gap between her and the mainstream, "safe" pop world Sabrina occupies.
Honestly, it’s likely less about a "fight" and more about two people becoming very different adults. Sabrina is a global pop titan; Rowan is an indie fashion darling and activist. Sometimes you just stop having things to talk about at brunch.
Different Paths, Different Projects
Since the show ended, their careers couldn't be further apart.
- Sabrina Carpenter: She’s basically the "it-girl" of 2026. From Coachella sets to chart-topping albums, she’s leaned into the "mainstream" and won. She still hangs out with former co-star Corey Fogelmanis (Farkle), even posting TikToks with him as recently as 2025.
- Rowan Blanchard: Rowan took the "art-house" route. She starred in A Wrinkle in Time and Snowpiercer, but her main focus has been the fashion world and activism. She’s less interested in being a "Disney darling" and more interested in being a voice for change, even when that voice is controversial.
Do they still talk?
In a 2021 interview, Sabrina mentioned they were still friends but just not as close as they used to be. It’s the classic "we grew up" explanation. There were even rumors that Rowan was spotted at the Grammys in 2025 supporting Sabrina, though they didn't take a public photo together.
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The Takeaway for Fans
If you're looking for a dramatic story about a betrayal, you probably won't find one here. The truth is much more boring: they’re two 20-somethings who had a job together when they were 13.
Here’s how to look at the Rowan and Sabrina dynamic today:
- Respect the Space: Just because they don't post together doesn't mean they hate each other.
- Acknowledge the Growth: Both women have carved out successful, albeit very different, niches.
- Nostalgia is Fine: It's okay to miss Riley and Maya while still supporting Rowan’s activism and Sabrina’s music separately.
If you want to see them "together" again, your best bet is probably re-watching the Girl Meets World finale. For now, they’re just two successful women living completely separate lives, and that’s actually a pretty healthy way to move on from a childhood TV show.
To keep up with their current work, check out Sabrina's latest 2026 tour dates or follow Rowan's editorial work in fashion magazines like Vogue or i-D.