Washington, December 31: Sabrina Carpenter’s catchy hit Espresso surprised the music world when it was released earlier this year, and the Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter admits she didn’t expect it to resonate so strongly with fans.
Though Espresso became a viral sensation, Carpenter was uncertain whether the song, which references the popular coffee beverage, would connect with listeners. She shared in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, “I really didn’t know if it would connect. But I believed in the song’s sentiment, sound, and the confidence it carried. I didn’t know if anyone else would like it, but I liked it, and that was all that mattered to me in that moment.”
The success of the track led to a collaboration with Dunkin’, resulting in the creation of Sabrina’s Brown Sugar Shakin’ Espresso, a coffee drink inspired by the song. Growing up on the East Coast, Carpenter explained, “I’m a born and bred East Coaster, and Dunkin’ was my childhood. When they approached me about a collaboration, I realized I hadn’t done a coffee partnership yet, and it felt like the perfect fit.”
For Carpenter, the collaboration is about more than just creating a drink; it’s an opportunity to connect with fans, especially when she can’t be present at concerts. “People really appreciate connection more now because it’s such a rarity,” she said, adding, “When I’m not on tour, it’s finding partnerships like this that can bring me to your doorstep or your nearest Dunkin’.” She also emphasized that the lighthearted nature of the partnership made it the perfect way to close out the year.
When Carpenter released Espresso in April, she had no idea it would become a viral hit. The song quickly gained popularity, inspiring everything from espresso martinis to memes and viral videos. It even sparked a sketch on Saturday Night Live, which garnered 15 million views on YouTube. Carpenter admitted, “I thought Espresso was more of a fall beverage, so I didn’t know if it would connect.”
In addition to her hit song, Carpenter delighted fans with her Netflix Christmas special, A Nonsense Christmas. Creating the special was a dream come true for the artist, who drew inspiration from legends like Cher, Dolly Parton, and Lucille Ball. “I’ve wanted to do something like this for so long,” Carpenter said. “I wanted it to reflect my personality—playful and fun. I’m so happy with how it turned out, and the guests made it really special.”
Many of the special guest appearances came together organically, with Carpenter reaching out to friends and artists she admired. She described the process as fun and collaborative, saying, “Some people I’d met before, and some were new to me, but it was a really fun and collaborative process.”
As 2024 comes to a close, Carpenter is already looking ahead to new music and projects. While finishing the international leg of her Short n’ Sweet tour, she’s also planning for her next album. “I’m always thinking one year ahead,” she said, adding, “I’ve started thinking about what comes after Short n’ Sweet, but for now, I’m just letting myself grow and have fun with it.”
Although she’s not revealing much about her next musical direction, Carpenter teased that fans can expect more playful, light-hearted content. “I’m just going to keep having fun with it, not take it too seriously, and see where it goes,” she said.