min read · September 8, 2025 · Entertainment

Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter's 'Frosty' VMAs Reunion: From Strangulation to Leggy Backstage Moments!

VMAs Drama: Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter's Bizarre Backstage Encounter

The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards were filled with surprises, but none as juicy as the drama that unfolded between Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter. The two pop stars had a frosty reunion on stage, which was only exacerbated by their awkward backstage encounter.

According to eyewitnesses, Sabrina, who won three awards on the night, playfully strangled Ariana backstage at the VMAs in New York on Sunday. The bizarre moment was captured on camera, and it's safe to say that it sparked a lot of chatter among fans and fellow celebrities alike.

The tension between the two stars had been building all evening. Earlier, Ariana won two awards for Best Pop and Video of the Year for her song "Brighter Days Ahead." However, things took a turn when Sabrina won three trophies, including Best Album for "Short n' Sweet."

As both women were vying for attention on social media, rumors began to circulate that they weren't exactly BFFs. The tension between them was palpable, and it only got worse when their paths crossed backstage.

"It was a very awkward moment," a source close to the situation revealed to thescholarlynote.com. "Sabrina went to hug Ariana, but she didn't put her arms around her. It looked like a partial hug with brakes on it. There was a small dance on the spot, but it was rather low-key compared to the kind of fan-like hand kissing she performed on Lady Gaga."

Despite the awkwardness, both women kept their cool and maintained their professionalism. However, body language expert Judi James analyzed the situation exclusively for thescholarlynote.com, and her conclusion was that the two stars didn't exactly have a warm relationship.

"Ariana performed many acts of fan-like lowered status and respect tonight," Judi explained. "But the body language signals from her greeting ritual with Sabrina tonight suggested she retained her own status while keeping it rather cool. The body language looks professional here... but with the elbow-clutching, the suggestion is that these two stars don't know each other very well."

Meanwhile, another drama unfolded when Mariah Carey took to the stage to accept the MTV Video Vanguard Award. Despite being a music legend, she couldn't escape the wrath of VMA viewers who accused her of doing the "bare minimum" on stage.

Many fans expressed their disappointment on social media, calling out Mariah for seeming stiff and lip-syncing during her performance. One user wrote, "Mariah Carey being introduced as the queen of vocals and she's just lip syncing... I mean, what even is this?"

Another fan chimed in, saying, "Mariah Carey doing the least possible movement... Girl if you got back problems tell 'em you can't perform." Others simply stated that Mariah was giving them the "bare minimum" and not bringing her A-game.

Despite the controversy surrounding her performance, Mariah still managed to bring home the coveted Video Vanguard Award. And speaking of awards, Ariana Grande had a phenomenal night, taking home two awards for Best Pop and Video of the Year.

As for Sabrina Carpenter, she was overjoyed with her three wins, including Best Album for "Short n' Sweet." Her victory lap was undoubtedly one of the most memorable moments of the evening, but it's clear that she still has some work to do on building her relationships with fellow celebrities like Ariana Grande.

VMAs Winners: