Sabrina Carpenter’s joke while presenting with Madonna at the VMAs was bleeped on live TV. Here’s what the singer really said onstage.
Sabrina Carpenter had a memorable moment with Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards, but one of the pop star’s jokes was too colorful for live television.
The “Short n’ Sweet” singer appeared onstage with Madonna as the two celebrated their collaboration, “Bring Your Love.”
While the pair were discussing how they first connected and eventually made it into the recording studio together, Carpenter made a joke about Madonna’s team that was partially censored during the live broadcast.
Madonna first explained how the collaboration came together, revealing that her team initially contacted Carpenter’s representatives about working together.
However, the process did not move as quickly as the Queen of Pop had expected.
“Let me tell you guys a little bit about how this came together,” Madonna told the audience.
The veteran singer explained that her team reached out to Carpenter’s team, but she quickly became impatient when she did not receive an immediate response.
According to Madonna, she waited five days before deciding to contact Carpenter herself through direct messages.
“I’m a little impatient. So five days go by. And after five days I DMed her,” Madonna said.
She then revealed that Carpenter responded directly, and the two artists soon found themselves working together in the studio.
“This is a true story. She answered me back and within weeks we were in the studio together,” Madonna said.
Carpenter laughed as Madonna recalled the story and then offered her own version of what had happened behind the scenes.
“My team is s***ting themselves backstage,” Carpenter said, with part of the comment bleeped out during the broadcast.
The censored phrase was a joking reference to the reaction of Carpenter’s team after learning that Madonna had contacted her directly.
Carpenter then clarified that her team does respond to messages, but she personally tends to respond much faster.
“They do reply by the way. I just respond faster,” Carpenter added.
She then jokingly encouraged people trying to contact her to use social media.
“So DMing me is the best way to get in contact,” the singer said.
The exchange provided one of the more playful moments of the ceremony, with Madonna and Carpenter appearing relaxed as they talked about the unexpected way their collaboration came together.
The moment also highlighted just how quickly the two stars moved from an initial message to recording music together.
Madonna’s decision to bypass the usual communication process and contact Carpenter herself ultimately helped bring the collaboration into the studio within weeks.
Carpenter’s appearance with Madonna was particularly notable because the Queen of Pop was making her first VMA performance in 23 years.
Madonna last performed at the ceremony in 2003, when she shared the stage with Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera in one of the most talked-about performances in the awards show’s history.
This time around, Madonna returned to the VMA stage to perform music from her new album, “Confessions II.”
Carpenter was part of the evening surrounding Madonna’s return, while Charli XCX also joined the veteran superstar during the ceremony. The pair performed their recently released collaboration, “Danceteria Afterhours.”
Madonna’s return was also reflected in the attention surrounding her at this year’s ceremony.
The singer was among the biggest names connected to the event, receiving 11 nominations.
Her long history with the VMAs has made her one of the defining figures in the awards show’s history.
Since the MTV Video Music Awards launched in 1984, Madonna has remained one of the ceremony’s most recognizable performers and winners.
The Most Awarded Artists in VMA History
Taylor Swift currently holds the record for the most VMA wins, with 31 awards. Her collection includes five Video of the Year victories, including her win for “All Too Well.”
She also made VMA history by collecting nine awards during the 2023 ceremony for her “Midnights” era.
Beyoncé follows closely with 30 wins.
Her VMA achievements include multiple awards for “Formation,” as well as Video of the Year for “Single Ladies” in 2009. Her overall total also includes awards earned with Destiny’s Child.
Lady Gaga has collected 22 VMA wins, including seven awards during the 2010 ceremony for “Bad Romance.” She has also won Artist of the Year twice.
Madonna has 20 VMA wins, placing her among the most decorated artists in the history of the ceremony.
Her previous wins have included honors for songs such as “Vogue,” “Ray of Light” and “Express Yourself,” along with the Video Vanguard Award.
Eminem has 15 VMA wins, making him one of the most successful male artists in the awards show’s history. His winning songs include “Without Me,” “The Real Slim Shady,” “Not Afraid” and “Houdini.”
Ariana Grande has earned 13 VMA wins, including honors for “Rain on Me” with Lady Gaga and other projects.
Peter Gabriel also has 13 wins and holds one of the ceremony’s most impressive single-night records after collecting 10 awards at the 1987 VMAs, including nine for “Sledgehammer.”
R.E.M. has 12 wins, while Justin Timberlake and Green Day have each collected 11.
For Carpenter, however, the night was less about adding another award to the record books and more about sharing a lighthearted moment with one of pop music’s most iconic stars.
The interaction between Carpenter and Madonna also offered viewers a glimpse into the less formal side of the collaboration.
What began with a delayed response between two teams ultimately became a direct message from Madonna, a quick reply from Carpenter and, within weeks, a studio session.
And while Carpenter’s comment about her team was partially hidden behind a broadcast bleep, her message was clear: when it comes to reaching her, a direct message may be much faster than going through her team.