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Sabrina Carpenter's VMA Afterparty Dress Was Previously Worn by This Music Icon

Carpenter is fashionably decked from head to toe in ‘70s glam.

Diana Nosa

Sabrina Carpenter attends the MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York in September 2025.
Sabrina Carpenter attends the MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York in September 2025. / Leonardo Munoz/AFP/Getty Images

Sabrina Carpenter may be a ‘90s baby, but she’s clearly got a ‘70s spirit living inside of her.

The singer-songwriter pulled out all the stops for her Studio 54-themed VMAs afterparty and, from the looks of the pictures, she and her guests had the time of their lives. Carpenter gave her millions of Instagram fans major FOMO.

Sabrina Carpenter wears a dress once donned by Cher

For her special night, she wore the beloved hot pink and cool sky blue belt-strap-filled dress by Bob Mackie—one with a pretty cool history.

The dress was previously worn by music icon Cher during her performance of “Shame on You” alongside Tina Turner on The Cher Show in 1975. Although Carpenter didn’t channel the Goddess of Pop’s ensemble from head to toe, she put her own spin on it by having her blonde tresses filled with gorgeous, tight curls. See more photos from Carpenter’s afterparty here.

In addition to shaking up her hairstyle, she also shook up her accessories, donning silver platform heels compared to Cher’s shimmery nude kitten heels. Both paired well with the classic piece.

Without a doubt, the Mackie piece still leaves jaws on the floor, the same way it did decades ago.

Needless to say, the 26-year-old artist has every reason in the world to celebrate. She took home three VMAs on Sunday night, winning in the categories Best Pop Artist, Best Album for her record Short n’ Sweet and Best Visual Effects for her “Manchild” music video.

Her VMAs awards

During her acceptance speech for Best Album, she was filled with immense gratitude towards all the fans across the world who streamed her album.

“This is my second Moon Man, which feels so crazy,” she expressed. “I really don’t take for granted when you guys take the time out of your lives to listen to an album. And, if I’m lucky enough that that is my album, I am so grateful. Whether that be Short n’ Sweet, this album, or whether that be Man’s Best Friend, my new album—or whether it be one of my 29 before that—I’m just the luckiest girl in the world.”

Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York in September 2025.
Sabrina Carpenter attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards in Elmont, New York in September 2025. / Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

“And I do want to say to my incredible cast and dancers and my queens on stage with me tonight, this world, as we know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity,” Carpenter continued. “So, to get to be part of something—so often more than not—something that can bring you light, make you smile, make you dance and make you feel like the world is your f--king oyster, I am so grateful to do that.”

Carpenter enlisted dancers in drag to perform “Tears” on the VMAs stage on Sunday. Her inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community moved many, and her speech did just the same.

Hands down, her entire VMAs 2025 night—from red carpet to afterparty—is one for the books.

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Diana Nosa
DIANA NOSA

After graduating from Rutgers University with degrees in Psychology and Theatre, Diana Nosa ventured off on the path of becoming an entertainment journalist. Having her start on various entertainment sites, she eventually found her way to Sports Illustrated Swimsuit in 2024 and has been working diligently ever since. Diana's interests include fashion, interior design and traveling. She's also an avid anime watcher and gamer––her favorite games being Elden Ring and Hollow Knight.

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