You’ve seen the photos. Sabrina Carpenter is strutting down a New York sidewalk, looking like she just stepped out of a time machine from 1993. She’s got the animal print. She’s got the beret. She’s even got that specific, structured black handbag that screams "flashy girl from Flushing."
The internet, naturally, lost its mind. TikTok was flooded with "Sabrina Carpenter The Nanny" edits, and rumors started swirling. Is she starring in a reboot? Is Fran Drescher her secret mentor? Honestly, the truth is way more interesting than just a simple casting rumor.
It's about a pop star who is masterfully using 90s nostalgia to build a brand that feels both vintage and brand new.
The Outfit That Started Everything
Basically, it all kicked off when Sabrina showed up for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in late 2024. She wasn't just wearing "a look." She was wearing a museum-grade vintage Lillie Rubin set.
This wasn’t a coincidence.
Fran Drescher famously wore that exact ensemble—the black blazer with the leopard fur collar and cuffs—in the pilot episode of The Nanny. Seeing Sabrina in it felt like a glitch in the Matrix.
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People immediately started asking if this was a "soft launch" for a new show. But here’s the reality: Sabrina and her stylist, Jared Ellner, are just obsessed with the "Blonde Bombshell" aesthetic. They aren't just picking clothes; they’re picking moments.
Why People Think Sabrina Is the Next Fran Fine
It's not just one dress. It’s a pattern.
- The 2024 VMAs: Sabrina rocked a silver Bob Mackie gown that Madonna wore to the Oscars in '91. Guess who else wore it? Fran Fine, during a Season 1 episode of The Nanny.
- The 2025 Grammys: She stepped out in a striped Hervé Léger gown from 1997. If it looked familiar, that’s because Fran wore the same off-the-shoulder look in Season 3.
- The Energy: Let’s be real. Sabrina has that "short king" energy and a quick-witted, slightly campy stage presence. It mirrors the high-energy, self-aware humor that made The Nanny a cult classic.
Fans have been campaigning for a reboot starring Sabrina for years. And honestly? It makes sense. She has the comedic timing—just look at her "Nonsense" outros or her role in the 2016 Adventures in Babysitting remake. She knows how to play the "relatable but glamorous" character perfectly.
What Does Fran Drescher Think?
You'd think the OG Nanny might be protective of her look. Nope.
At the 2025 SAG Awards, Fran Drescher actually addressed the Sabrina Carpenter connection. She told reporters she was "honored and flattered." She even called Sabrina "totally cool" and "retro in many ways."
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Getting the seal of approval from the Queen of Queens herself? That’s basically the ultimate endorsement.
The "Adventures in Babysitting" Confusion
A lot of the "Sabrina Carpenter The Nanny" searches actually stem from people misremembering her Disney days. In 2016, she starred in the 100th Disney Channel Original Movie, which was a remake of Adventures in Babysitting.
She played Jenny, a straight-laced, over-achieving babysitter.
Because she was a teen star playing a caretaker role, some fans (and the Google algorithm) have conflated that movie with the idea of her playing a nanny. It’s a classic case of collective memory being just a little bit off.
Is a Reboot Actually Happening?
Right now, there is no official "The Nanny" reboot starring Sabrina Carpenter. Sorry to break your heart.
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She’s currently deep in her Short n' Sweet era, selling out arenas and dominating the charts. Taking on a multi-season sitcom is a massive time commitment that most pop stars at the peak of their careers wouldn't touch.
However, the "Sabrina Carpenter The Nanny" phenomenon proves one thing: the 90s aesthetic isn't going anywhere. Sabrina isn't trying to be Fran Fine; she's using Fran's blueprint to show that you can be funny, loud, and incredibly fashionable all at once.
How to Get the Look (The Sabrina Way)
If you're trying to channel this specific vibe, you don't necessarily need a 1993 Lillie Rubin original. You just need the right ingredients.
- Animal Print as a Neutral: Leopard and cheetah aren't "accents" in this world. They are the base layer.
- The Silhouette: Think mini-skirts with structured blazers. It’s about balance—showing leg but keeping the top half "business-ish."
- The Hair: Big, bouncy, blonde curls. If it doesn't have volume, it's not "The Nanny."
- The Confidence: The most important part of the Fran Fine/Sabrina Carpenter aesthetic is acting like you’re the best-dressed person in the room, even if you’re wearing a neon beret.
The next time you see Sabrina in a vintage leopard print, don't immediately assume a movie trailer is dropping. She’s just paying homage to the legends who came before her. It’s smart, it’s stylish, and honestly, it’s working.
Keep an eye on her upcoming red carpet appearances for the next "Nanny" Easter egg—she’s definitely not done raiding that closet yet.