Pop Star Pipeline? Fans Link Sabrina Carpenter’s Controversial Music Video To Zohran Mamdani’s Historic NYC Mayoral Win

Zohran Mamdani made history by winning the New York City mayoral election, becoming the city’s first Muslim and South Asian mayor-elect, set to be sworn in on January 1, 2026. His victory, fueled by a progressive pitch against inequality and corruption, saw the 34-year-old Democratic Socialist defeat high-profile candidates like former governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

However, a viral claim on social media is attributing this major political upset to an unlikely source: pop singer Sabrina Carpenter. Fans are playfully suggesting that the “Espresso” singer may have inadvertently been the catalyst for Mamdani’s victory through a bizarre chain of events.

The Viral Theory

The theory, circulating widely on platforms like X and Reddit, posits a Sabrina Carpenter to Muslim Mayor pipeline:

• X User: “Currently thinking about how if Sabrina Carpenter didn’t film that music video which led to a church getting investigated which then led to Eric Adams getting indicted, Mamdani wouldn’t be mayor-elect rn.”
• Reddit User: “Can someone confirm/deny the Sabrina Carpenter to Muslim mayor pipeline for me please.”

The Feather Video and the Federal Probe: Explained

While there is no direct, confirmed link tying Carpenter’s actions to the election results, the theory relies on a publicly known chain of political and cultural events:

1. The Music Video Controversy (2023): The chain began when Sabrina Carpenter filmed the music video for her song “Feather” in and outside the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The video, which depicted Carpenter dancing in a revealing outfit among pastel coffins after confronting inappropriate men, was deemed “provocative” and sparked major controversy.
2. The Priest’s Demotion: The Diocese of Brooklyn was “appalled” by the video and, citing an oversight of diocesan policy, stripped the parish priest, Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello, of his administrative duties. The New York Times reported that the debacle may have drawn unwanted federal attention to the church.
3. The Subpoena and Indictment (2024): Authorities subsequently subpoenaed the church, seeking information about Gigantiello’s alleged business dealings with then-Mayor Eric Adams’ office. Gigantiello was suspected of having dealings with Adams’ confidant and former chief of staff, Frank Carone, placing the priest under the spotlight of a growing federal probe. This scrutiny eventually contributed to the federal corruption investigation and the indictment of Mayor Eric Adams in September 2024 on charges including bribery and conspiracy.
4. Adams’ Withdrawal (2025): Though the charges against Adams were later dropped without prejudice, allowing him to re-run for mayor, he ultimately stepped down from the race a month before the general election, citing “constant media speculation.”

The Political Domino Effect

The key point of the viral theory is that Adams bowing out narrowed the candidate pool. His participation would have likely split the votes more widely among the candidates. With Adams out of the picture, the race effectively became a three-way contest between Mamdani, Cuomo, and Sliwa, which many analysts believe consolidated enough anti-establishment votes to help Mamdani secure the upset victory.

Carpenter herself playfully acknowledged the speculation, once joking, “Should we talk about how I got the mayor indicted?” while on her tour.