After coming under intense backlash following a viral clip from her Coachella performance, Sabrina Carpenter has apologized for her cultural insensitivity. During one moment in the show, the singer reacted to what she thought was the yodeling of a fan performing an Arab cheer.
Sabrina Carpenter apologizes after misunderstanding traditional Zaghrouta cheer
According to reports, this all took place during a performance by the pop star on April 10 as she was seated behind her piano, playing. A fan performed a traditional Arabian cheer called Zaghrouta.
Carpenter apparently misinterpreted the noise, thinking it was someone yodeling. In response to the cheer, she exclaimed, “Is somebody yodeling up there?” before adding, “I don’t like it.”
When the fan responded that the cheer was part of their culture, Carpenter responded, “Is this yodeling? That’s your culture? This is Burning Man? This is very bizarre.” This caused the audience member and fans watching on TikTok to react angrily towards the star, citing her lack of respect for the fan’s culture.
The next day, Carpenter responded on social media about the misunderstanding. While admitting that she cannot hear things perfectly when performing live music on stage, she acknowledged her mistake and apologized for it.
“My apologies, I didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly,” she wrote. “My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill-intended. I could have handled it better. Now I know what a Zaghrouta is.” She explained that her response was “not intended to offend in any way” and that she was “confused.”
She stated, “Now I know what a Zaghrouta is.” The apology included an attempt to make light of the situation, adding, “Going forward, I welcome all cheers and yodels!”
In spite of this controversy, her Coachella performance was still noted for its impressive lineup. Her performance featured appearances from stars such as Sam Elliot, Will Ferrell, and Susan Sarandon.
During the performance, Carpenter showcased some songs from her upcoming album, including “We Almost Broke Up Last Night” from her album Man’s Best Friend.
