Sabrina Carpenter’s Grammy performance made headlines not for her music, but for holding a live dove on stage. PETA slammed the pop star, calling the act “cruel” and urging celebrities to leave animals out of awards shows.
Image Source: Instagram
It was supposed to be a dreamy Grammy moment. Flashing lights, a sleek airplane prop, and pop star Sabrina Carpenter floating through her performance like a music-video fantasy. But just when fans were soaking in the drama of it all, one small white bird stole the spotlight and not in a good way. By the end of the night, animal rights group PETA was fuming, social media was buzzing, Sabrina’s Grammys moment had turned into a full-blown controversy.
During her performance of the song ‘Manchild’ at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, the 26-year-old singer leaned fully into an aviation theme. At one point, Sabrina stepped into an airplane prop, adding to the theatrical feel of the act. Then came the surprise element. She appeared holding a white dove on stage.
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The image was striking and symbolic. Doves often represent peace and freedom. But to some viewers, it raised an uncomfortable question. Should a live bird be part of a loud, high-pressure awards show performance?
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People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals did not waste time responding. Shortly after the show, the organisation called out Sabrina in a sharp post on X (formerly Twitter).
“Did Sabrina Carpenter really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?!” the group wrote, accusing the singer of “childlike behavior” and urging celebrities to leave animals out of the Grammys.
Did @SabrinaAnnLynn really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?!
The Manchild singer is giving childlike behavior. Leave animals out of the #GRAMMYs! pic.twitter.com/E3fjbe2363
— PETA (@peta) February 2, 2026
The post included a photo of Sabrina holding the dove mid-performance.
PETA didn’t stop there. In another message shared alongside the same image, the organisation referenced lyrics from ‘Manchild’ to make its point even clearer and harsher.
According to PETA, bright lights, loud sounds, and being handled in front of a huge crowd can scare and stress birds. The group said the dove belonged “flying free in the open sky,” not on a Grammy stage.
The tone was blunt, emotional, and impossible to ignore.
If this feels familiar, that’s because it is. PETA has a long history of calling out famous faces when animals are involved.
Late last year, the group criticised Kim Kardashian for gifting her children North, Saint, Chicago, and Psalm some Pomeranian puppies for Christmas. They also slammed Kim’s sister Khloé Kardashian for buying a black Labrador puppy for her kids, True and Tatum.
Ingrid Newkirk, PETA’s founder, went as far as calling those gifts “inexcusably callous,” saying puppies are not toys and urging celebrities to adopt from shelters instead.
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