Stock, Aitken & Waterman Criticize Modern Pop Stars for “Disregarding” Women’s Rights: “Seeing Sabrina Carpenter Dressed Like a Little Girl Is Quite Offensive.”

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Mike Stock, Matt Aitken, and Pete Waterman have recently criticized contemporary pop artists, specifically pointing to Sabrina Carpenter as an example of how women’s rights are being “thrown away” in the industry.

• Read more: Sabrina Carpenter – ‘Short n’ Sweet’ review: A new pop princess rises

The English songwriting and production trio shared their perspectives during a recent interview with Sun, discussing the evolution of modern pop music.

“Pop music, and especially pop videos, have become much more sexualized than they were back in the ’80s – clearly, for better or worse,” remarked Aitken, who is 68 years old.

“And it’s incredibly strange, given that women’s rights are so protected now,” agreed Waterman, 78. He further stated that Sabrina Carpenter’s image is one he considers detrimental to women. “Seeing Sabrina Carpenter dressed like a little girl is pretty offensive. She doesn’t need it. She has great talent, yet the industry encourages these girls to flaunt themselves to attract young boys to their content.”

The Impact of Sexualization in Music

He added, “If you look back, we could never have done what they do now 30 years ago. We’d be criticized if we attempted even half of it… Madonna was the only one who came close to that image.”

Last year, Carpenter achieved a historic feat by becoming the first solo artist since the Beatles to have two simultaneous top three hits on the Billboard Hot 100, stirring conversations about her provocative lyrics and the suggestive nature of her performances.

In the same Sun interview, Waterman commented on how women’s rights could influence pop music, stating, “Women have fought for their rights, and now they’re jeopardizing it in my view.”

Waterman further remarked, “It’s just absurd. If you want respect, why resort to G-Strings?” while Stock criticized Carpenter’s sexualized lyrics as “lazy.”

“I would never write lyrics that were explicit about sexuality,” he said. “You should always imply or use allegory. I think it’s a bad show and it’s lazy. Such approaches will inevitably draw attention.”

Sabrina Carpenter’s Recent Success

Sabrina Carpenter emerged as one of the most successful artists of the past year, especially with her hit album, Short N’ Sweet, featuring tracks like “Espresso Please Please” and “Taste.” She spent 21 weeks at the top of the singles chart and is preparing for a major world tour.

Carpenter also gained recognition by supporting Taylor Swift during the singer’s US tour and collaborated with icons like Shania Twain in a recent Christmas special.

She received accolades in NME‘s lists of the best songs and albums of 2024, and most recently, she earned a Grammy nomination, with Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor naming “Espresso” as the best song of 2024.

As Sun highlighted, comments from Stock, Aitken, and Waterman reflect a broader range of acts from the ’80s who also used revealing outfits and sexual themes in their music.

For context, the trio notably worked with former Page Three girl Sam Fox during her transition from glamor model to pop star, as well as with Mandy Smith, who attracted attention due to her past relationship with Rolling Stone’s Bill Wyman when he was 47 and she just 13.

Other artists they have collaborated with, who also embraced sexuality in their music and performances, include Kylie Minogue and Sinitta.

Recently, Carpenter received six Grammy nominations, including best pop vocal album, album of the year, and best new artist. Her song “Please, Please” is nominated for Song of the Year, while “Espresso” is up for Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year.

In a four-star review of “Short N’ Sweet,” NME noted: “The 25-year-old singer seems to be at a turning point. If she maintains her musical identity and lives up to expectations, she’s poised to become a major festival headliner.”

“For the most part, though, who Sabrina Carpenter is has never been clearer—and her long-awaited, hard-earned rise to the top of the Pops should continue with ease.”

As for Pete Waterman, he recently expressed his disappointment over the cancellation of his collaboration with Judas Priest.