{"id":399172,"date":"2026-04-18T19:57:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T19:57:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/399172\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T19:57:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T19:57:11","slug":"sabrina-carpenter-controversy-sparks-swedish-pop-star-outrage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/399172\/","title":{"rendered":"Sabrina Carpenter Controversy Sparks Swedish Pop Star Outrage"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"SabrinaiStockphoto \/ \u00a9 Andy Abeyta\/The Desert Sun \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Sabrina Carpenter apologized for her misunderstanding at Coachella. A large number of Zara Larsson fans apparently do not forgive her.<\/p>\n

They scolded the Swedish pop star for supporting the American pop star at Weekend 2 of the festival.<\/p>\n

I am not entirely convinced the backlash was not caused by bots, but it created quite the dialogue about music<\/a> and the messaging of artists that perform. Most people were willing to move past the mishap.<\/p>\n

Sabrina Carpenter caused controversy at Coachella.<\/p>\n

The original incident took place last weekend. Carpenter performed on the main stage as the headliner on Friday night.<\/p>\n

At some point during her set, as she settled in to the piano, a fan in the crowd let out a traditional cheer known as a \u201czaghrouta.\u201d It is a high-pitched ululation used to express joy, celebration and honor. Rooted in Arab, North African and Middle Eastern culture, it is made by a rapid undulation of the tongue.<\/p>\n

Carpenter misheard the zaghrouta as a \u201cyodel.\u201d The fan in the crowd explained that it was not a yodel, but did not explain its significance beyond \u201cit\u2019s my culture.\u201d Carpenter again misunderstood and asked why\/if yodeling is her culture. She added that she \u201cdidn\u2019t like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sabrina Carpenter is being lauded as \u201cvery, very based\u201d for mocking a woman\u2019s Indian Yell during a concert. <\/p>\n

\u201cIs that your culture? I don\u2019t like it.\u201d pic.twitter.com\/JAi4XHj9cK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ian Miles Cheong (@ianmiles) April 12, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

People were outraged by her ignorance. How could she not know about the zaghrouta cheer? To say she does not like it is a direct attack on the Arab people. It was racist.<\/p>\n

In reality, it was a misunderstanding. Sabrina Carpenter did not appreciate how the person in the crowd interrupted her set. She did not know what it was or what it meant. She issued the following apology:<\/p>\n

\u201cmy apologies i didn\u2019t see this person with my eyes and couldn\u2019t 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\u201d<\/p>\n

Most people moved on. Zara Larsson fans apparently did not.<\/p>\n

Larsson is one of the biggest pop stars in the world. She is not quite on Carpenter\u2019s level in the United States, but she is still a very big deal in the U.S. She is even more popular in Europe\u2014 especially in her home country of Sweden. Her more than 11 million followers on Instagram speak for themselves.<\/p>\n

I actually went to see Zara Larsson perform in Nashville earlier this month and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed her music and the show. I am definitely not the target audience for her music, and I was completely out of my element, but I had a great time. She is an impressive performer. I digress.<\/p>\n

Larsson went to see Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella<\/a> on Friday night for Weekend 2. The video she posted on TikTok to share her excitement was viewed more than 2.6 million times.<\/p>\n

A majority of the comments expressed their disappointment. Larsson\u2019s fans (or bots) did not want her to support Carpenter after the whole zaghrouta incident last weekend. Go take a look.<\/p>\n

\u201czara thats the worst time ever to say that \ud83d\ude2d\ud83d\ude2d\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cwtf?? zara???? must be joking\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cZara this is a joke right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI love you Zara but this is disappointing\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201czara pls not sabrina\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201ctell her don\u2019t forget this\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI liked you tho\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cthis is not a good timing Zara\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cgirl\u2026 dont go there you\u2019re way better than this\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing omg. Stop Zara\u201d<\/p>\n

Stuff like that. People were\/are BIG MAD!<\/p>\n

Fortunately, a good chunk of Larsson fans came to her defense. They told the haters to touch grass. And I\u2019m not entirely sure the negative comments weren\u2019t posted by bots in search of engagement anyway.<\/p>\n

Either way, Zara Larsson went to see Sabrina Carpenter at Coachella and got to watch her friend perform \u2018Like A Prayer\u2019 with Madonna. That\u2019s pretty iconic.<\/p>\n

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