Sabrina Carpenter Brings Bombshell Glam to 2025 MTV VMAs in Red See-Through Gown

Sabrina Carpenter certainly has good taste.

If you thought the singer’s red carpet looks couldn’t get any better, she proved otherwise at the MTV VMA Awards, where she showed up dressed like a winner.

The pop star, 26, made a statement as she arrived at the Sept. 7 show in a look that leaned into bold — and old — Hollywood glamour.

The star of the show was her waist-snatching floor-length gown which featured strategically-placed sequin floral embellishments throughout — although that didn’t stop Carpenter from showing off all angles of the sheer ensemble, which she accessorized with a lilac pink boa worn draped around her arms.

Her bronzy makeup consisted of a gold glittery eye look that was complemented with a mauve pink lip and, while her hair was styled in curls and a side bang, a departure from her signature curtain fringe.

Carpenter has an exciting night ahead of her with eight nominations, including Best Video of the Year (“Manchild”), Best Album (Short n’ Sweet) and Best Pop Artist. But before it kicks off, let’s look back at her most memorable looks from the awards show.

The “Espresso” singer first attended in 2018 wearing a daring Versace bandage dress with a thigh-high slit. And in the years since, she’s experimented with different aesthetics from skin-baring florals in the form of a sexy Moschino gown in 2022 to an ethereal baby pink Vera Wang corset-inspired design in 2023.

Her most iconic moment of all came last year when she slipped into a dazzling Bob Mackie look that was worn by Madonna to the 1991 Oscars. That’s right, pop star worlds collided when Carpenter effortlessly posed in the archival gown, which featured a sweetheart neckline embellished with silver beading. On Instagram, Mackie revealed that Madonna had loved the gown so much she wore it multiple times and it’s safe to say that Carpenter gave it a second life with her own spin on the style.

Carpenter continues to looks to the greats with her fashion references, recently nodding to Naomi Campbell’s Victoria’s Secret days in her recent “Tears” music video with a 2003 lingerie rewear. That means there’s likely more fun sartorial nods to spot in the months to come with shows amping up in the coming months. After all, if there’s anyone who’s going to treat glam like the Olympics, it’s her.

In conversation with Interview Magazine, the former Disney alum talked about just how much she loves getting dolled up.

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“I love glam. I really, really do. My mom was a dancer, so growing up, makeup and dance recitals and dress-up, all of it was very, very nor- mal for me. Even right now, I get really excited to dress up,” she said in the interview published on Sept. 2, in which she also revealed what makes her the most confident.

“I feel hottest when I feel the most me, when I have pretty, wavy curly hair and a nice tan, freckles, a dewy cheek situation, and obviously a lip liner. And I love a little set—a little top and bottom.”

The 2025 MTV VMAs air live from New York’s UBS Arena on Sunday, Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and MTV. The ceremony will also stream on Paramount+.