Sabrina Carpenter studied and earned a master’s degree at the pop star school of Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. The way the singer broke through this year put those lessons to good use. This is evident in the autonomy that can be felt on their album, which is as heartbreaking as it is awesome Short and sweetbut also in how she deals with the criticism that comes with her unabashed confrontation with her sexuality. Aguilera and Spears have weathered similar storms, but that hasn’t protected them from the same backlash.

“I definitely understand that too,” Carpenter said TIME in a recent interview. “Someone told me this whenever I got upset or felt like I was the only one being criticized for something that other people seemed so freely capable of doing: I’m the one who has all the negative shit about me sees yourself. My friends don’t see it.”

Carpenter started doing it last week Short and sweet World tour. The show combines their latest release with standout songs from previous years in their catalog. Below is “Nonsense,” the pop hit that she refined on tour to include a city-specific, tongue-in-cheek reference at the very end. For this tour, she’s done it differently, this time changing the suggestive position she takes during album highlight “Juno,” asking, “Have you ever tried… this one?” The icing on the cake is the huge “horny “ Graphic that flashes bright pink during the song.

“Sometimes there is still a mother who has a strong opinion about how you should dress. And to that I just say, don’t come to the show, that’s fine,” Carpenter said. “It’s unfortunate that there was ever any reason for criticism because, honestly, going on stage in front of so many people and acting like it’s nothing is the most terrifying thing in the world.” If the only thing “If it’s the way you feel comfortable dressing, then that’s what you need to do.”

The singer also responded to fans who were outraged to learn that her family had witnessed her flaunting her sexuality on stage at Madison Square Garden last weekend. “My fans on the internet are saying, ‘I can’t believe she’s bowing down to her grandparents!'” Carpenter said. “I think, girls, they don’t pay attention. They just say, I can’t believe all these people are here.”

Carpenter TIME profile came with news of her placement on the TIME100 Next 2024 list, which highlights a number of up-and-coming figures in the entertainment industry. Her tribute was penned by none other than Aguilera, with whom she recently performed a reworked 25th anniversary version of “What A Girl Wants.”

“She may claim to be short and sweet, but never underestimate the tremendous power behind Sabrina Carpenter’s talent,” the pop veteran wrote. “This is why she has secured her deserved place as one of today’s leading pop artists. She proves that big things come in small packages. As a 5-foot colleague. As a woman with a career similar to that of a Disney teen, I recognize and respect firsthand what it takes to maintain clarity while meeting the demands of this business.”

She added: “As she reaches the tender age of 25, I realize that our symbolic circle has come full circle as my own debut album turns 25 in the same year, giving me a sense of not only celebration but also “As exciting generations of pop princesses continue to emerge, I feel admiration and care, knowing the journey ahead.”

Aguilera also emphasized that Carpenter’s cheeky wit is an asset to her presence as a performer, singer and songwriter – not something to criticize. “I have every confidence and certainty that, in true Sabrina Carpenter fashion, she will achieve her future goals with grace, a little kindness, the ability to laugh and confidently enjoy the ride… and a playful pun or two,” concluded she .