Sabrina Carpenter unveils new album art approved by God amid controversy

Sabrina Carpenter has revealed alternative artwork 'approved by God' for her new album after the original cover sparked controversy. Earlier in June, the Espresso singer shared art for her album, Man's Best Friend, which shows her on her hands and knees in a black minidress with a suited man grabbing her hair. The photo prompted a heated debate, with some arguing that it pandered to the male gaze and promoted misogynistic stereotypes. On Wednesday, the pop princess posted two less contentious black-and-white images of herself holding a suited man's arm, with the caption: 'Here is a new alternate cover approved by God.'

Users responding to Carpenter's post on Instagram included fellow pop star Katy Perry, who simply replied: 'Gahahahaha.' Man's Best Friend is Carpenter's seventh studio album and will be released on 29 August. Fans can purchase the album with either set of artwork.

Those criticising the initial artwork included Glasgow Women's Aid, a charity supporting victims of domestic abuse, which said it was 'regressive' and 'promotes an element of violence and control'. Not everyone was against it, and some defended the singer, explaining that the image was satirical. 'There's a deeper meaning, portraying how the public views her, believing she is just for the male gaze,' a fan wrote on X. But Heather Binning of Women's Rights Network, told the BBC that violence against women should 'never be used as satire'. Many of Carpenter's fans are young women, and Ms Binning said the imagery 'grooms girls to believe that it is a fun, casual, sexy thing to submit to men's sexual (sometimes sexually violent) desires'.

On social media, some also criticised Carpenter for the timing, suggesting the image was not appropriate given the current political climate in the US. 'Women's control over their bodies are being taken away in the US and this is kind of insensitive,' one user wrote on Instagram.

'Sell her brand'