Sabrina Carpenter's incredible transformation over the years: From 'Girl Meets World' to pop icon

By Nabanita Pain
Published on : 04:26 PST, Sep 10, 2024

Sabrina Carpenter has had an incredible transformation throughout her time under the spotlight (Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage, Taylor Hill/Getty Images, @sabrinacarpenter/Instagram)

From a Disney star to a global pop icon, Sabrina Carpenter has come a long way in her career and has experienced a remarkable transformation over the years. Despite having a brief career at Disney, she continued to feature in more teenage films and even went on to produce her own songs. She put out a few studio albums, but 2022's 'Emails I Can't Send' was the record that eventually launched her career. She also supported Taylor Swift for her Australian leg of the Eras Tour with this record. Let's explore Sabrina's amazing transformation over the years.

2012: Sabrina Carpenter voiced Princess Vivian in 'Sofia the First'

SANTA MONICA, CA - OCTOBER 06: Actress Sabrina Carpenter arrives at — Sabrina Carpenter voiced Princess Vivian in 'Sofia The First: Once Upon A Princess' (Amanda Edwards/Getty Images)

The Pennsylvania native had a few guest star appearances and voiced Princess Vivian in the animated series 'Sofia the First' before landing the role of Maya Hart on the Disney show 'Girl Meets World', per The Tab.

2014: 'Girl Meets World' premiered on Disney Channel

Sabrina Carpenter's transformation eventually got underway in 2014 when she made her television debut in the Disney Channel sitcom 'Girl Meets World'. Sabrina's role as Maya Hart in the Disney series brought her fame and her career took off when she was only 15 years old. She also made her TV debut with the blonde, wavy hair that viewers come to know and adore.

2015: Sabrina Carpenter's debut record 'Eyes Wide Open' was released

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 22: Actress Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images) — Sabrina Carpenter's debut record 'Eyes Wide Open' was released in 2015 (John Shearer/Getty Images)

Sabrina has released several records over the years, including 'Eyes Wide Open', 'Evolution', 'Singular: Act I' and 'Singular: Act II'. She became an overnight sensation after the 2015 release of her debut album, 'Eyes Wide Open'. Sabrina was still very much an indie artist when her pop career started. She also adopted an edgy, bad-girl fashion with heavy eye makeup that certainly caught fans off guard.

2016: 'EVOLution' album and 'Adventures in Babysitting' premiered

INGLEWOOD, CA - MARCH 12: Actress Sabrina Carpenter attends Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards at The Forum on March 12, 2016 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) — Actress Sabrina Carpenter at Nickelodeon's 2016 Kids' Choice Awards (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Sabrina's second studio album 'EVOLution', which featured hits like 'Thumbs' and 'On Purpose', was released in 2015. Sabrina opted for a grungier look in the 'Thumbs' music video, which was completely different from how she introduced herself to the world with the video for 'Can't Blame a Girl for Trying' from her debut album. Sabrina and Sofia Carson starred in the Disney Channel Original Movie 'Adventures in Babysitting' which also came out the same year.

2018: 'The Hate U Give' film and 'Singular: Act I' album happened

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 07: Sabrina Carpenter stops by DIRECTV House presented by AT&T during Toronto International Film Festival 2018 at Momofuku Toronto on September 7, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Charley Gallay/Getty Images for AT&T and DIRECTV ) — Sabrina Carpenter released her 'Singular: Act I' album in 2018 (Charley Gallay/Getty Images for AT&T and DIRECTV )

Sabrina portrayed Hailey Grant in the intense 2018 movie 'The Hate U Give', starring in a more serious role. The movie addressed racism and the use of force by the police. She truly came into the limelight after this movie, and it undoubtedly contributed to her rise to fame. Sabrina also released her 'Singular: Act I' album in 2018.

2019: Sabrina Carpenter starred in 'Tall Girl' and 'The Short History of the Long Road'

Sabrina Carpenter seen at Tall Girl photocall, Los Angeles, USA - 23 Aug 2019 (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Netflix) — Sabrina Carpenter starred in 'Tall Girl' and 'The Short History of the Long Road' in 2019 (Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Netflix)

After 'Girl Meets World' ended in 2017, Sabrina acted in a few films including 'Tall Girl'. Despite being only five feet tall, Sabrina played a rather significantly ironic role in the film 'Tall Girl', flaunting her signature bangs. Sabrina’s iconic bangs reappeared in 'Tall Girl 2' which was released in 2022. Sabrina played a teenage girl in 'The Short History of the Long Road' and sported darker hair while opting for a more casual appearance.

2020: Sabrina Carpenter's movies 'Work It' and 'Clouds' premiered

BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 05: Sabrina Carpenter attends the 21st Annual Warner Bros. And I — Sabrina Carpenter's movies 'Work It' and 'Clouds' premiered in 2020 (Getty Images)

Sabrina Carpenter's movies 'Work It' and 'Clouds' premiered in 2020. The 'Hate U Give' actress looked stunning in a simple black strapless dress and a plumper pout at the Warner Bros. Pictures and InStyle Golden Globes afterparty in Beverly Hills.

2022: Sabrina Carpenter walked her first Met Gala and launched 'Emails I Can't Send' tour

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 02: Sabrina Carpenter departs The Mark Hotel for 2022 Met Gala on May 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for The Mark) — Sabrina Carpenter attends the Met Gala on May 02, 2022 in New York City (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for The Mark)

The singer appeared at her first Met Gala in July 2022 and also released her album 'Emails I Can't Send'. She began her 'Emails I Can't Send' tour in November of the same year. Sabrina's fifth album 'Emails I Can't Send' featured several great songs, like 'Nonsense' and 'Feather'. Sabrina discovered her style and embraced the thicker bangs. She appeared to have gained a lot of confidence when she walked the Met Gala red carpet.

2024: Sabrina Carpenter opened for Taylor Swift on the Sydney Eras Tour

Taylor Swift performs with Sabrina Carpenter at Accor Stadium on February 23, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management) — Taylor Swift performs with Sabrina Carpenter at Accor Stadium on February 23, 2024 in Sydney, Australia (Don Arnold/TAS24/Getty Images for TAS Rights Management)

Sabrina's fan base virtually surged after she opened up for Taylor Swift on the Singapore Eras Tour from February 16 to March 9, 2024. Taylor had Sabrina as her opening act on several of her Latin American, Australian, and Asian tour dates, per Billboard. Additionally, Sabrina borrowed a few cues from Taylor when she dropped Easter eggs for her most recent single, 'Please Please Please', at her Coachella set earlier this year.

2024: 'Please, Please, Please' and 'Espresso' music video released

Sabrina Carpenter released her smash single 'Espresso' in 2024 (Sabrina Carpenter/Facebook)

Sabrina released her smash single 'Espresso' and played it at Coachella after wrapping up her run as Taylor Swift's opening act at the Eras Tour. With her sixth studio album 'Short n’ Sweet' released in August, the former Disney star has essentially salvaged the summer. She appeared to have a more shaggy mullet-esque appearance while yet maintaining her easy-going golden brown hair. Though the 'Espresso' singer hasn't addressed obtaining plastic surgery, there have been rumors that she underwent a nose job alongside lip and cheek fillers, per Life and Style magazine. Sabrina also released the 'Please, Please, Please' music video in 2024.

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