Sabrina Carpenter is TIME‘s latest cover star, earning a place among the publication’s 100 Next list with a cosign from another short-statured pop superstar: Christina Aguilera.
In addition to a cover story published Wednesday (Oct. 2), the 25-year-old “Espresso” singer was honored with a brief tribute penned by Xtina. “She may claim to be short and sweet, but never underestimate the mighty power behind Sabrina Carpenter’s talent,” the Burlesque star wrote. “As a fellow 5-ft. female with a similar working-adolescent Disney history, I firsthand recognize and respect what it takes to maintain clarity while delivering within the demands of this business.”
“While she is at the tender age of 25, I realize our symbolic, full-circle connection, as my own [self-titled] debut album turns 25 this same year,” Aguilera continued. “As exciting generations of pop princesses continue to emerge, I feel adoration and protectiveness, knowing the journey at hand and ahead.”
The article comes just a couple weeks after Carpenter and the “Beautiful” vocalist met up mid-September, filming a TikTok together in which the Girl Meets World alum joked that she was Aguilera’s “favorite” child. The pair also teamed up for Xtina’s recent Spotify Anniversaries episode around the same time, singing “What a Girl Wants” as a duet.
Aguilera also came up in Carpenter’s cover story interview with TIME, with the “Please Please Please” hitmaker opening up about owning her sexuality while following in the footsteps of pop icons such as Xtina and Britney Spears. “You’ll still get the occasional mother that has a strong opinion on how you should be dressing,” she told the publication.
“And to that I just say, don’t come to the show and that’s OK,” continued Carpenter, who often sings about sex in her music and incorporates a few NSFW elements into her live shows. “It’s unfortunate that it’s ever been something to criticize, because truthfully, the scariest thing in the world is getting up on a stage in front of that many people and having to perform as if it’s nothing. If the one thing that helps you do that is the way you feel comfortable dressing, then that’s what you’ve got to do.”
See Carpenter’s TIME cover below.
