‘I’ve Been True to Myself’

A decade into her music career, Sabrina Carpenter has seen a meteoric rise over the past year, culminating in her sixth album, Short n’ Sweet, her record-breaking success on the Billboard charts, and six Grammy nominations.

Speaking to PEOPLE, the 25-year-old reflected on her path, saying, “I’ve always been true to myself and believed in my work since I was young. I’ve realized that it’s always been about the small baby steps that you take over time to get you to this point.”

Carpenter’s career began with her Disney Channel days, but her evolution into a pop music powerhouse was firmly established in 2024 with the release of Short n’ Sweet, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and became her first chart-topping album.

The record, driven by infectious hits like “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste,” not only dominated the charts but solidified Carpenter’s place in pop music history.

In 2024, Carpenter became the first solo artist since The Beatles to place two simultaneous Top 3 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Please Please Please” peaking at No. 1 and “Espresso” at No. 3.

She also made history as the first woman to have three songs simultaneously in the Hot 100 Top 10 for five consecutive weeks, surpassing Cardi B’s previous record. “Taste,” another standout single, debuted at No. 2, giving her an unprecedented streak of hits that propelled her into a new level of superstardom.

The success of Short n’ Sweet wasn’t just limited to the U.S. Both “Espresso” and “Please Please Please” topped the Billboard Global 200 chart, showcasing Carpenter’s global appeal. Reflecting on her whirlwind year, she told PEOPLE, “I don’t think I have fully reflected yet, as I’m also trying to be present in the moment. But I’m just happy to see my songs connect with so many people from all walks of life. That’s why I love to write songs.”

Following the release of Short n’ Sweet, Carpenter embarked on her first arena tour, which included unique fan experiences like T-Mobile’s “Sweet Spot” pop-ups. “These collaborations have felt super authentic to this album and tour and fan-friendly, which I’m grateful for,” she said. Carpenter praised her fans’ creativity during the tour, from their outfits to the hilarious signs they brought to shows. “Connecting with my fans each night has been the most memorable part,” she added.

The tour, which ran from September through November 2024, saw Carpenter performing to sold-out arenas across North America. She’s set to continue her global trek with a European leg starting in March, saying, “I can’t wait to see all of my fans in Europe. There are a couple of cities I haven’t been to in a really long time, so I’m excited to see which crowd is the loudest.”

Carpenter’s Best New Artist nod at the 2025 Grammys might seem unusual for someone with six albums and a decade-long career, but for the artist, it’s simply the recognition of a long-held dream.

“It’s such an honor,” she said, noting that being nominated had been a goal of hers since childhood. She is also up for major categories like Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Vocal Album, and Best Pop Solo Performance.