It’s actually wild to think about where we were just a few years ago. Back then, if you mentioned a Sabrina Carpenter award show appearance, people would probably bring up her Disney Channel days or maybe a polite nod at a Radio Disney Music Award. But honestly? Everything changed when the world collectively decided that "Espresso" was the only personality trait worth having.
The transition from "that girl from Girl Meets World" to "Grammy-winning pop titan" didn't happen overnight, even if it feels like it did. There’s this weird misconception that she just popped out of nowhere in 2024. In reality, it was a slow burn—ten years of grind capped off by a string of award show moments that basically broke the internet.
The Night Everything Changed: VMAs 2024
Let’s talk about the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. If you weren't watching live, you probably saw the clips of her making out with an alien during the "Taste" and "Espresso" medley. It was camp. It was chaotic. It was peak Sabrina.
But the real kicker was when she actually took home Song of the Year for "Espresso."
She stood there, looking genuinely shocked, and admitted, "I’ve literally never won one of these." It was a heavy moment for fans who had been following her since the Eyes Wide Open era. She beat out some massive heavyweights, proving that her chart dominance wasn't just a fluke of the Spotify algorithm. She followed that up at the 2024 MTV EMAs, where she clinched Best Song again. People kept waiting for the momentum to slow down, but it just didn't.
That 2025 Grammys Sweep
If the VMAs were the introduction, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2025 were the coronation. Walking into that night with six nominations is one thing. Walking out with Best Pop Vocal Album for Short n' Sweet and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Espresso" is a whole different level of validation.
📖 Related: The A Wrinkle in Time Cast: Why This Massive Star Power Didn't Save the Movie
I remember her speech vividly because she was still out of breath from her performance. She did this incredible Old Hollywood-themed medley of "Espresso" and "Please Please Please" that included a literal tap-dancing break. Who even does that anymore?
When she won Best Pop Vocal Album, she beat out Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, and even Taylor Swift. The Recording Academy bleeped out the end of her speech because she ended it with a very on-brand, "Thank you, holy shit, bye!"
Why the "Best New Artist" Loss Mattered
There was a lot of drama online because she didn't win Best New Artist that year. A lot of people argued she shouldn't even have been nominated since she had six albums out. It’s a fair point. But the Grammys have these weird technical rules about when an artist "enters the public consciousness." Even though she lost that specific category, the night was still hers. It cemented the fact that she isn't just a "singles artist." Short n' Sweet was recognized as a cohesive, top-tier pop record.
The 2025 Award Season: A Victory Lap
By the time the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards rolled around, she was basically the final boss of pop music. She took home Pop Artist of the Year and Pop Song of the Year.
It’s interesting to look at the 2025 American Music Awards (AMAs) too. She was nominated for basically everything—Artist of the Year, Favorite Female Pop Artist, the works. While Billie Eilish had a huge night there, Sabrina’s presence was everywhere.
👉 See also: Cuba Gooding Jr OJ: Why the Performance Everyone Hated Was Actually Genius
Recent Wins and 2026 Nominations
The momentum has somehow carried into 2026. Just recently, at the 2025 MTV VMAs (held in late 2025), she grabbed:
- Best Album for Short n' Sweet
- Best Pop Artist
- Best Visual Effects for "Manchild"
And for those looking ahead, the 2026 Grammy nominations are already out. She’s currently "pending" for several big ones for her work on Manchild and the album Man's Best Friend. It’s a different vibe—more experimental—but the industry is clearly still obsessed with her.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Rise
There’s this narrative that she’s just a "TikTok artist." That is so wrong. If you look at her award show performances—the SNL debut in May 2024, the Coachella "Sabchella" sets, the Grammys—the common thread is her live vocal ability.
She isn't relying on backing tracks as a crutch. She’s a theater kid at heart. That’s why her award show moments land so well. She understands the "show" part of "award show."
She also has this weirdly specific ability to handle technical glitches. Remember the 2024 VMAs where her mic pack was visible, or the 2025 Grammys where she had to navigate a massive costume change in seconds? She makes it look like it was all part of the plan.
✨ Don't miss: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
The Impact on the Industry
Because of Sabrina’s success, we’re seeing a shift in how labels treat "legacy" artists who haven't hit it big yet. She was on her sixth album when she finally became a household name. Usually, labels drop you after album three if you haven't gone platinum.
She proved that staying power and a slow-build brand can eventually explode if the timing and the songs are right.
Key Awards and Nominations (Highlights)
| Award Show | Year | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| MTV VMAs | 2024 | Song of the Year ("Espresso") | Won |
| MTV EMAs | 2024 | Best Song ("Espresso") | Won |
| Grammy Awards | 2025 | Best Pop Solo Performance | Won |
| Grammy Awards | 2025 | Best Pop Vocal Album | Won |
| iHeartRadio | 2025 | Pop Artist of the Year | Won |
| MTV VMAs | 2025 | Best Album (Short n' Sweet) | Won |
| Brit Awards | 2025 | Global Success Award | Won |
How to Keep Up With Future Wins
If you're trying to track her next moves, pay attention to the 2026 Grammy ceremony. The "Manchild" era is much more divisive than Short n' Sweet, so the wins might not be as "clean" as they were last year.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators:
- Watch the VODs, not just the clips: To really understand why she wins, you have to see the full 5-minute performances. The storytelling she does on stage is what wins over the older Recording Academy voters.
- Monitor the "Best Pop Solo" Category: This is where she is most dominant. If she's in that category, she’s almost guaranteed a trophy.
- Check the "Visual Effects" and "Art Direction" nods: Her team (like the directors for "Taste") is currently the best in the business. Her wins are often a team effort.
It's pretty clear that Sabrina Carpenter isn't going anywhere. She’s moved past being a "trend" and has become a staple of the award show circuit. Whether she wins the big "General Field" awards in 2026 or sticks to dominating the Pop categories, her influence on how pop stars present themselves at these ceremonies is going to be felt for a long time.
Keep an eye on the upcoming 2026 Brit Awards and the iHeartRadio nominations; she's already leading the pack for international categories.
Next Steps:
To stay ahead of the curve, you can check the official Recording Academy website for the full 2026 Grammy ballot or follow the Billboard Hot 100 updates to see if her newer tracks like "Manchild" are maintaining the "Espresso" level of longevity.