The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2024 - Issue 36

bitemusicceleb Samantha Morgan traces singer Sabrina Carpenter’s slow rise to the top, from a ten-year-old singing cover songs to a pop princess sensation in her twenties. Sabr Carpe S abrina Carpenter has evolved from the sweet and innocent ten-year-old who uploaded videos of herself singing cov- er songs by Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Adele, and Christina Aguilera. Today, her stage performances are sexual, racy, and provocative, with energy, cha- risma, and audience connection. Fans can expect to experience stunning visuals, vibrant lighting, video screens, and elaborate stage set-ups, with impres- sive choreography at her shows. The singer's rise to the top has been a long jour- ney. At Variety's Hitmakers event last year, where she received the Rising Artist Award, she compared her career to the popular fable The Tortoise and the Hare. “Something that my mom always told me as a little girl that annoyed me was that I am the tor- toise. Throughout my life, [I was] being told, ‘Sabri- na, you’re the tortoise, just chill,’ like ‘it’s okay, you’re the tortoise, just slow down, it’s going to be okay,’” she said in her speech. “In moments of frustration and confusion, it can feel like a letdown, but it turns out it’s a very good thing,” she continued. “And I’ve loved getting to know the mindset of a slow rise.” The singer reflected, “Know- ing that I have a lot to look forward to and no matter how much I experience and have under my belt, I’ll always have something to learn. That’s where I’m at right now; I’m just learning. And I’m very grateful.” Sabrina got her big break when she placed third in Miley Cyrus’ ‘The Next Miley Cyrus Project’ in 2009. Two years later, she landed a small but pivotal role as a young victim called Paula in Law & Order: Spe- cial Victims Unit's 'Possessed' episode. She also ap- peared in Noobz, Orange is the New Black , Austin & Ally and voice acted on Disney's hit shows Phineas and Ferb and Sophia the First before portraying the rebellious yet kind-hearted Maya Hart on Girl Meets World, a spin-off of ‘90s show Boy Meets World. After showcasing her singing talent on the show, Sabrina signed with Disney’s Hollywood Records and released her debut single ‘Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying’. The song, with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics, was successful and led to the re- lease of her debut EP of the same name. Her first full-length album, Eyes Wide Open, came out the following year, featuring a mix of pop and folk influ- ences, with songs like ‘We'll Be the Stars’ and ‘Too Young’ resonating with a young audience navigating their teenage years. The singer expanded into films and starred in the