Sabrina Carpenter Scores Second Billboard No. 1 with “Manchild,” Cements Pop Star Reign
Sabrina Carpenter is having yet another breakout moment. The rising pop superstar has officially landed her second Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper with her brand-new single “Manchild,” the lead track from her upcoming album Man’s Best Friend. According to Billboard, the track opened strong with 27.1 million streams and 20,000 units sold in its debut week, unseating Alex Warren’s viral hit “Ordinary,” which had dominated the top spot for the past two weeks.
This achievement marks Carpenter’s second No. 1 single in less than a year, following the massive success of 2024’s “Please Please Please,” which helped push her from cult pop favorite to full-fledged chart-topping star. Combined with the cultural ubiquity of “Espresso,” which became a song-of-the-summer contender last year, Carpenter is quickly establishing herself as one of the defining voices of this new pop era.
The success of “Manchild” arrives as Sabrina gears up for the release of her seventh studio album, Man’s Best Friend. The record is already generating buzz not only for its lead single, but also for its bold, provocative visual identity. The recently unveiled album artwork, along with her daring Rolling Stone cover shoot — in which Carpenter appeared nude except for a pair of white lace stockings — has sparked online debate about sexuality, empowerment, and public perception.
Addressing the criticism surrounding the sexual themes in her music and stage performances, Carpenter told Rolling Stone: “It’s always so funny to me when people complain. They’re like, ‘All she does is sing about this.’ But those are the songs that you’ve made popular… I can’t control that.” She added that fans often highlight the more provocative moments from her shows, ignoring the depth and nuance throughout her setlists. “Clearly you love sex. You’re obsessed with it,” she said, calling out the selective attention her critics give to certain lyrics or visuals.
Meanwhile, on the charts, Carpenter’s dominance reflects a broader shift in mainstream pop. Her blend of catchy melodies, unapologetic lyrics, and smart marketing has struck a chord with both younger audiences and longtime pop fans. As she continues to blend vulnerability and confidence in her music, she’s quickly building a legacy that goes beyond chart placements.
Other major moves on the Billboard Hot 100 this week include Morgan Wallen and Tate McRae’s duet “What I Want,” which slipped to No. 3, and Wallen’s solo track “Just in Case” taking No. 4. Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s collaboration “Luther,” which ruled the chart for 13 consecutive weeks earlier this year, rounded out the top five.
Over on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Wallen continued his winning streak as I’m The Problem held onto No. 1 for a fourth week. Lil Wayne’s long-awaited Tha Carter VI debuted strong at No. 2 with 108,000 units. K-pop sensation ENHYPEN entered at No. 3 with Desire: Unleash, and TikTok breakout star Addison earned a No. 4 debut with her self-titled album Addison.
As Sabrina Carpenter continues to evolve as an artist, “Manchild” proves she’s no longer just a rising pop star — she’s arrived, and she’s here to stay.