'I saw Sabrina Carpenter live and she was nothing like her controversial album cover'

Before Sunday night, my perception of Sabrina Carpenter was influenced mainly by the images I had seen on social media: her sultry album cover for Short n' Sweet, quickly followed by an even more controversial image for her highly anticipated follow-up, Man's Best Friend. Released last month, the upcoming album's artwork sparked significant backlash, as it showed the pint-sized singer on all fours next to a man pulling her by her blonde locks. Critics were quick to label it "degrading", "attention-seeking", and a "step back for women", while others felt it unnecessary.

However, that certainly did not stop thousands of preteens and their diligent parents from packing Hyde Park on Sunday, July 6, when Sabrina took to the stage for her second sold-out headline show at BST Hyde Park, for which I was fortunate enough to snag a ticket for.

From the first note of "Read Your Mind" to the explosive finale of "Espresso," her performance was a masterclass in modern pop, and it was also unexpectedly heartfelt, as she opened up on the sad ending of a relationship while gearing up to perform "Sharpest Tool".

It seemed miles away from the risque singer who famously demonstrated sex positions while on tour in Europe last year, and parents seemed to collectively breathe a sigh of relief that she would not be recreating her now-viral Eiffel Tower pose.

Despite the lingering effects of the afternoon's downpour, Sabrina radiated warmth, clearly amazed by the crowd before her. She paused early in the set to acknowledge the weather and the commitment of the thousands of young, adoring fans who had waited in ponchos, soaked for hours just to be close to her.

"We turned that weather around, didn't we?" She laughed, scanning the sea of delighted but damp faces. "Raise your hand if you were damp earlier. It's really sweet of you to wait outside. I know you're used to this because this is your land, but seriously-thank you. That means so much to me."

The contrast between her humble demeanour and the hyper-sexualised image on her album cover was striking. If her marketing aimed to provoke a reaction, her performance aimed to connect with her most loyal fans, and it succeeded flawlessly.

Even her more risqué songs, like the notorious "Bed Chem," were toned down for the occasion. While she still included flirtatious dance moves and a cheeky moment when the track transitioned into "Pony" by Ginuwine, Sabrina demonstrated she was keenly aware of her audience. The crowd was filled with young fans, families, and even some very well-behaved toddlers wearing glittery earmuffs on their parents' shoulders.

As if the night couldn't become more surreal, Sabrina surprised everyone with a duet alongside Simon Le Bon, as Duran Duran joined her on stage for an unexpected rendition of "Hungry Like the Wolf". It was the sort of genre-defying moment that only appears at festivals like BST, and Sabrina handled it effortlessly, standing her ground next to the rock legend.

Her album covers might promote sex and scandal, but the Sabrina who stepped onto that stage was funny, thoughtful, self-aware, and deeply connected to her fans.