Sabrina Carpenter took flight at the Grammys on Sunday, transforming Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena into an airport to perform her hit single “Manchild.” The performance pushed boundaries with a series of F-bombs peppered throughout the song’s chorus, testing the limits of the night’s broadcast censors.

Descending from a carousel that emerged from an airplane set, Carpenter captivated the audience with the lead single off last year’s album *Man’s Best Friend*. She was joined by performers dressed as airport workers, enhancing the immersive airport theme. “It’s your captain Sabrina speaking,” she declared during a spoken-word moment. “If you came here tonight for a little validation, put your hands together!” The performance wrapped up with Carpenter wielding two traffic wands, directing imaginary planes on the runway.

This marks Carpenter’s second consecutive year performing at the Grammys. She made her debut on the prestigious stage in 2025 with a playful medley of her smash hits “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” complete with staged errors and comedic gags that delighted the crowd.

Last year, Carpenter was recognized as a first-time nominee, earning nods for Album of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, Song of the Year for “Please Please Please,” and Record of the Year for “Espresso.” She took home two trophies: Best Pop Solo Performance for “Espresso” and Best Pop Vocal Album for *Short n’ Sweet*.

This year, Carpenter received six Grammy nominations. Her single “Manchild” was nominated in four key categories: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video. Meanwhile, *Man’s Best Friend* was up for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.

Beyond the Grammys, Carpenter has been tirelessly touring worldwide since fall 2022, beginning with her first post-Disney album *Emails I Can’t Send*. Her *Short n’ Sweet* tour kicked off in September 2024 and recently concluded with a six-night residency at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena in November 2025.

Looking ahead, Sabrina Carpenter is set to headline both weekends of Coachella 2026, scheduled for April, promising more unforgettable performances to come.
https://variety.com/2026/music/news/sabrina-carpenter-manchild-grammys-performance-1236644987/