Sabrina Carpenter had one of the most elaborate performances of the night at the 2026 Grammys on Sunday (Feb. 1), singing Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Manchild” while commanding a massive, retro-looking airport set — but PETA isn’t too happy about a special guest she brought out toward the end.
Shortly after the pop star’s showcase at the award show — which featured her holding a live bird on stage, leaving the audience in awe — the animal rights organization called her out with a post on social media declaring, “Leave animals out of the #GRAMMYs!”
“Did @SabrinaAnnLynn really just bring a bird on stage in 2026?!” PETA’s caption reads. “The Manchild singer is giving childlike behavior.”
The nonprofit also shared a blurry photo of Carpenter posing with the bird on stage with a message quoting her “Manchild” lyrics written over it. “Hey Sabrina, bringing a live bird onto the Grammys stage is stupid, slow, useless … and cruel!” it reads. “Bright lights, loud noise and handling cause fear and distress for a bird who belongs flying free in the open sky.”
Billboard has reached out to Carpenter’s reps for comment.
PETA is known for calling out celebrities publicly, from slamming Britney Spears for allegedly buying a puppy — rather than adopting a rescue dog — in 2023 to condemning Pharrell Williams‘ crocodile-skin Louis Vuitton bag that same year. Carpenter’s performance came early on in the Grammys programming Sunday night, following show openers ROSÉ and Bruno Mars, who sang their global smash, “APT.”
The Girl Meets World alum didn’t take home any new awards at the Trevor Noah-hosted ceremony, but she was one of the most nominated artists of 2026. Carpenter was up for six trophies this year — including song and record of the year for “Manchild,” as well as album of the year for Man’s Best Friend — tying Bad Bunny, Leon Thomas and mixing engineer Serban Ghenea for third-most nods. Billie Eilish ended up taking home song for “Wildflower,” Kendrick Lamar and SZA won record for “Luther” and Benito’s Debí Tirar Más Fotos scooped album.
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