Sabrina Carpenter had no clue her latest music video would spark such a stir among Catholics, but here we are. On October 31, Carpenter released a music video for her song ‘Feather.’ It didn’t take long for the video to go popular, but for all of the wrong reasons.
The majority of the footage was shot within (and outside) the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a Catholic church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. While Carpenter and her crew were granted permission to film inside the chapel, members of the congregation were ‘appalled’ by the imagery utilized.
this 30 second clip is the only part of her in the church and all she's doing is standing and walking in a poofy dress. there is nothing demonic happening at all. pic.twitter.com/gREc1xvAQF
— ashley 💌 TOMORROW + 3 (@betubrina) November 2, 2023
Carpenter may be seen dancing about the church and altar while dressed in a short black tulle gown with a veil. One casket, which represented one of the men she had murdered, with the inscription ‘RIP B***H.’ There was also a vase filled with a dark liquid with the words ‘RIP’ and a tombstone with the words “He Was Just Okay.”
According to the Catholic News Agency, Sabrina Carpenter was granted permission to shoot in the church by Monsignor Jamie J. Gigantiello. He claims Sabrina and her crew ‘failed to appropriately represent the video content,’ but he accepted full responsibility for his acts on Facebook just one week later.
“While I take full responsibility for the erroneous decision to allow the filming, I want to assure you that I had no knowledge that such a scene would be filmed in our church while we worked so hard to restore to its present sacred beauty,” Gigantiello wrote – expressing his sincere regret and asking for forgiveness.
At the time, Bishop Robert J. Brennan appointed a temporary administrator of the church (replacing Gigantiello, who remained a pastor). Gigantiello was also stripped of his tenure as Vicar of Development for the Diocese, which held for more than 15 years. One month later, the consequences continued.
After holding a Mass of Reparation at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to restore the sanctity of the church, Brennan relieved Gigantiello – who has been a priest for 29 years – of his administrative duties at the church for failing to ‘follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property.’
Sabrina Carpenter Responds to Criticism
While Sabrina Carpenter has been rather quiet during this dilemma, she broke her silence in an interview with Variety, published on November 29 – just a few days after the parish was relieved of his duties. From her perspective, she and her team did exactly what they were supposed to do – they got permission.
Sabrina Carpenter has no comment on scandalizing the Catholic Church with her "Feather" music video: "Gotta go, girl!" | Variety Hitmakers presented by @sonyelectronics https://t.co/hmQuUd5Zxz pic.twitter.com/SEZbQc5Zvn
— Variety (@Variety) December 2, 2023
We got approval in advance, and Jesus was a carpenter,” she said – doubling down in support of the music video. Whatever she’s doing, it appears to be working. The former Disney alum’s music video has received nearly 14 million views over the past two months and has brought a lot of media attention with it.
And it came at the right time. She opened for Taylor Swift five times between November 9 and 26 – twice in Argentina and three times in Brazil – as part of the international leg of her Eras Tour. She also opened for Taylor Swift in August – three shows in Mexico. The 24-year-old is making headlines left and right.
