Honestly, the 67th Annual Grammy Awards felt like the official coronation of the "Short n’ Sweet" era. We all knew Sabrina Carpenter was having a moment, but seeing her command that stage at the Crypto.com Arena in February 2025 was something else entirely. It wasn't just a pop show. It was a victory lap.
People were betting on what she’d play. Would she do the "Nonsense" outro? Would she bring out a surprise guest? Ultimately, she stuck to the heavy hitters, delivering a jazzy, high-energy medley of "Espresso" and "Please Please Please." It was theatrical. It was camp. It was everything we’ve come to expect from the Quakertown native who spent years grinding in the industry before becoming the "It Girl" of 2024 and 2025.
The Performance That Defined the 2025 Grammys
If you watched the Sabrina Carpenter performance Grammys night, you probably noticed the vibe was "Old Hollywood meets 1960s variety show." She started at the top of an ornate blue house—a set piece that felt like a direct nod to her Short n’ Sweet tour aesthetic—before descending a grand staircase.
The transition between the two songs was the real highlight.
She didn't just stop and start. Instead, she worked in a tap-dancing break that caught half the audience off guard. It was a flex of her musical theater roots. She’s not just a studio singer; she’s a performer. While some critics on social media pointed out a few minor technical "malfunctions" with her audio or timing during the costume changes, the general consensus was that her stage presence carried the day.
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She looked like a "walking chandelier," as some fans described her. She wore a glitzy blue beaded bodysuit that shed layers as the performance went on. It was very Lady Gaga at the Met Gala—a slow reveal that kept the energy climbing even as the tempo of the songs shifted.
Winning More Than Just the Crowd
The night was bigger than just the five-minute slot on TV. Sabrina walked into the 2025 Grammys with six nominations, and she didn't leave empty-handed. She took home:
- Best Pop Vocal Album for Short n' Sweet.
- Best Pop Solo Performance for "Espresso."
When she accepted the award for Best Pop Vocal Album, she was visibly out of breath. "I’m still out of breath from the performance, so I really was not expecting this," she told the crowd. It was a rare moment of genuine vulnerability from a star who usually keeps things very polished. She even gave a shoutout to her vocal teacher in Bala Cynwyd, proving that even as a global superstar, she remembers the suburban Philly roots that got her there.
Why This Specific Performance Mattered
For a long time, Sabrina was labeled as "underrated."
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Seeing her on that stage, flanked by dancers and performing hits that have billions of streams, felt like the end of that narrative. She was nominated alongside heavyweights like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and Billie Eilish. To see her win in categories against her own idols—like Best Pop Vocal Album—cemented her place at the top of the food chain.
The Sabrina Carpenter performance Grammys also stood out because of the context of the night. 2025 was the year of the "breakout." Between Sabrina, Chappell Roan’s "Pink Pony Club" set, and Charli XCX’s Brat dominance, the Recording Academy finally felt like it was catching up to what people were actually listening to on their phones.
Misconceptions About the Setlist
A lot of fans were actually a little bummed she didn't play "Bed Chem" or "Taste." There were even rumors circulating before the show that she and Chappell Roan would do a joint performance.
That didn't happen.
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Instead, she stayed laser-focused on the two tracks that defined her chart-topping summer. While "Nonsense" has been her signature live staple for years, she skipped it for the Grammys. It was a smart move. It showed she was ready to move into the next phase of her career rather than leaning on the viral outros that made her famous on TikTok.
What's Next for the Short n’ Sweet Era?
If you missed the live broadcast, the Recording Academy usually keeps the official performance video on their YouTube channel, though licensing can be tricky depending on where you're watching from.
The momentum from the Grammys has clearly fueled the next leg of her career. Immediately after the awards, she headed overseas for the UK and European dates of the Short n' Sweet Tour.
Takeaways for fans and creators:
- Study the "Transition": If you're a performer, watch how she used the tap-dance break to bridge two different tempos. It’s a masterclass in keeping the audience engaged during a medley.
- Aesthetic is Everything: The "Old Hollywood" blue theme wasn't just for the Grammys; it tied her red carpet look, her performance, and her tour branding together. Consistency is what builds a "superstar" brand.
- The Power of the Speech: Don't skip her acceptance speech. It’s a great reminder that "overnight success" usually takes about ten years of voice lessons in small towns.
The 2025 Grammys will likely be remembered as the night Sabrina Carpenter transitioned from a pop contender to a pop legend. Whether you loved the "Espresso" remix or preferred the theatricality of "Please Please Please," there’s no denying she was the heartbeat of the ceremony.
Next Steps: Keep an eye on the 2026 Grammy nominations, as her newer tracks like "Manchild" are already generating significant buzz for the next awards cycle. You can also track her current tour setlists on sites like Setlist.fm to see how her live arrangements continue to evolve post-Grammys.