Why is Sabrina Carpenter going fake tan-free at the Met Gala news?

Okay, so maybe I am ironically making this a news story by reporting on it. But Sabrina Carpenter, going completely tan-free to the 2024 Met Gala seemed to be a story this morning. Coming from a very naturally pale gal herself, I wondered why this was a shock to the beauty industry. I wanted to personally applaud Sabrina for just owning her natural complexion as well.

If you have seen videos of Sabrina Carpenter performing Espresso at Coachella this year, then you have seen that the girl was tanned to promote her new song. I get it, it’s a summery song and if you can market it more by giving the ‘beach drinking espresso martini’ look then I’m all for it. However, this morning I had seen some Tik Tok comments saying her being pale was a complete shock! On the flip side, there were many comments saying how stunning she looked but there was a conversation about her not being covered in fake tan. 

The theme for the Met Gala this year was ‘Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening fashion’ and my interpretation of this is Disney princess and a classic beauty style. So, I guess going 'au natural' and ditching the tan does make Sabrina’s look more classic. Yet, again I think there is a bit of a construction between tanned pop princess Sabrina and tan-free Sabrina for a classic theme. The fact that there is even a conversation in the first place about it shows why every summer I feel the need to fake-tan. I’m sure there were other celebrities there who didn’t tan, it’s just when we market a celebrity with a certain style, it’s really ‘groundbreaking’ when they change it up. So I don’t fit the ‘me espresso’ vibe with no fake tan but would suit a weird Met Gala theme?

There is definitely a huge beauty standard still placed on these celebrities to have a marketable look. Of course, it makes them stand out but it is sad that we still have certain elements attached to celebrities. I even saw articles about her having a matte look all of a sudden over a dewy glow? Is she not allowed to just do a different makeup look? Whereas, comments on Barry Keoghan’s look was that he just looked a bit like ‘Willy Wonka.’ But us girls, and celebrities are still scrutinised closely.

Yes, to an extent some beauty experts are genuinely interested in makeup trends and are fascinated by what products the celebs use. But, my overall point is that I don’t think Sabrina Carpenter not wearing tan to the Met Gala is particularly shocking. There is already a stigma sometimes for pale girls so let’s just normalise tan or not tanned look and be ready for summer 2024. Ionablog xox

Photo creds: Marleen Moise/Getty images