Sabrina Carpenter issues apology after backlash over calling out cultural chant in Coachella crowd

Sabrina Carpenter has issued an apology after a moment during her Coachella set drew criticism online, with the singer facing backlash over the way she responded to a fan’s cultural chant from the crowd.

The reaction followed a brief exchange during a quieter part of her performance whilst she was sitting behind a piono, when Carpenter could be heard reacting to the sound from the audience before the clip spread across social media. As it circulated, the conversation started shifting away from her headline set itself and on to whether she had mishandled something cultural she did not recognise.

In videos from the night, as shared by POPTime on X (formerly Twitter), Carpenter said, "I think I heard someone yodel. Is that what you're doing? I don't like it." After the fan tried to explain it, she then added: "That's your culture, is yodeling?" The fan replied: "It's a call of celebration." Carpenter later said: "Is this Burning Man? What's going on? This is weird."

That exchange quickly became one of the biggest talking points from her Coachella appearance, with many viewers criticising the singer and accusing her of being insensitive. The chant was later identified as a zaghrouta, a celebratory ululation, and the online reaction soon grew far beyond a single festival clip.

One of the most engaged posts on X that criticised Carpenter said: “Sabrina saying that she doesn’t like a cultural Arabic cheer… this is so insensitive and islamophobic. I am very disappointed in her.”

Carpenter later addressed the backlash, quoting the X post, explaining what had happened from her point of view, and trying to clear things up. She wrote: "My apologies, I didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly. My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm, and not ill-intended. Could have handled it better! Now I know what a Zaghrouta is! I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out."

Her response has not completely settled the reaction. Some people accepted the apology and saw the moment as confusion in a loud festival setting, but others are annoyed that she’s apologised at all.

One X user wrote: “Should have doubled down, not apologized. People who scream during the quiet parts of concerts are selfish af.” Another posted: “Why are you apologising? The person doing the zaghrouta owes you an apology for interrupting your performance and distracting the audience.”

Meanwhile, others were not convinced of Carpenter’s response and argued that the fan had already made clear that the chant was cultural, while the exchange was happening.

For instance, a user called her out, saying: “You clearly heard them and said, ‘this is your culture?’ with that weirded-out face… if there hadn’t been backlash, you wouldn’t have even apologized.”

Among other responses, one tried to remind the celebrity’s position as a role model: “This excuse is not good enough, Sabrina. You are a role model for young girls and gay boys. You need to seriously take a look in the mirror and reevaluate your life choices. You'll never make it big with your current attitude.”

Coachella 2026 food and drink prices

Coachella festivalgoers who paused for a soft drink or some fried chicken inbetween watching Justin Bieber, Karol G and Sabrina Carpenter ended up paying excruciating prices for it last weekend.

“Prices looking like it’s a nice day to fast,” wrote one music lover. “I’ll just eat thoughts and prayers,” said another.

Here’s what anyone entitled enough to want to eat and drink at Coachella ended up paying, thanks to screenshots posted by Californian estate agent James Suer on Instagram.

Dave’s Hot Chicken

Chicken burger with chips - $30 (£22)

Chicken tender with chips - $26 (£19)

Coca Cola/Coke Zero/Sprite - $7 (£5)

Viale Street Food

Gyro - $20 (£15)

Carne asada chips - $20 (£15)

Greek salad - $15 (£11)

Cheesy chips - $16 (£12)

Lemonade - $10 (£7)

Big B The Chef

Fried chicken wings and chips - $25 (£19)

Chicken strips and chips - $17.50 (£13)

Cajun french fries - $10 (£7)

Sweetfin

Spicy tuna bowl - $23 (£17)

Yuzu salmon bowl - $23 (£17)