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Fans React to Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes’ Awkward VMA Encounter

Fans React to Sabrina Carpenter and Shawn Mendes’ Awkward VMA Encounter

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors

The biggest names in music were present at the MTV Video Music Awards this Wednesday, September 11. And of course, there was bound to be some suspense. But some artists seemed prepared.

Ahead of the show, Shawn Mendes took to X (formerly Twitter) to share some photos and, clearly, foreshadow dire events. “I’m headed to my own funeral,” Mendes said in the post’s caption.

Shawn Mendes at the 2024 VMAs
Shawn Mendes attends the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 11, 2024 in Elmont, New York. Ahead of the show, Mendes shared a cryptic message on social media.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTV

While it’s unclear what Mendes meant, some fans thought he may have been referring to the fact that two of his exes – singers Camila Cabello and Sabrina Carpenter – were in attendance.

During the night, Mendes performed a new song, “Nobody Knows,” which fans immediately assumed was about Cabello. Later, Carpenter performed a medley of songs from his latest album Short N’ Sweet. His set included excerpts from “Please Please Please,” “Taste,” and “Espresso.”

“Taste” is believed to be about Mendes and Cabello getting back together after Mendes’ brief fling with Carpenter.

Mendes and Cabello dated from 2019 to 2021. In 2023, Mendes and Carpenter were spotted spending a lot of time together, though Shawn eventually denied rumors that they were dating.

Apparently, that didn’t go well, as fans think that Carpenter’s new album Short and sweetcontains many songs about him, including “Coincidence”, “Dumb & Poetic” and “Taste”.

Before Carpenter, Mendes was linked to Camila Cabello from 2019 to 2021. In June, Cabello released her fourth album, C,XOXO which would also contain several songs about Mendes, including “June Gloom”.

In related news, Carpenter had a successful night at the VMAs. She won Song of the Year for “Espresso.”

Grief is one thing, ego is another, and Carpenter has certainly earned the bragging rights.