Pop star Sabrina Carpenter is facing backlash after fans claimed she used AI-generated artwork in a series of promotional TikTok stickers for her new album, Man’s Best Friend. Social media users pointed to distorted visuals, awkward proportions, and blurry text as signs of AI involvement, criticizing the designs as low-effort and creatively lacking. However, neither Carpenter, 26, nor her team has confirmed whether the stickers were actually AI-made.
"How are you going to be an artist and not pay other artists. That could’ve been huge for someone’s portfolio," said someone on Reddit. Another person replied to their comment, saying, "Yeah I like her music but this is gross for Sabrina and her team to do." A third person added, "No joke. I would rather artists draw garbage by hand and share that than force actual slop on people."
To mark the release of Man’s Best Friend, TikTok collaborated with the "Espresso" songstress to launch a set of free in-app stickers. Styled in her signature retro ’50s vibe, the stickers show a cartoon version of Carpenter alongside playful pups in a series of lighthearted scenes. But when fans looked closer at the stickers, they noticed that something wasn't quite right. Many internet users have claimed that the images are distorted and sloppy, with several fans pointing out errors such as missing fingers, smudged text, color mistakes, and more.
While much of the internet is accusing Carpenter of promoting AI, others aren't so sure. "Like even IF that’s not AI (and it probably is) it’s a really scuffed art which needs to be reworked," said one fan. Many were confused about whether Carpenter had a hand in the imagery at all. One TikTok user claimed, "A person on TikTok made it not her, her team, nor TikTok. They're unlicensed." Someone else added, "I’m a Sabrina fan and TT made the stickers however she could easily stopped it, I’m hoping she does."
This latest backlash follows earlier criticism of Carpenter’s album cover, which also sparked debate among fans. Many critics argued the cover depicts gendered subservience and objectification, with Carpenter positioned in a way that reinforces patriarchal imagery. On CBS Mornings, she downplayed the album art, controversy, saying, “Y’all need to get out more."