Fans think Sabrina Carpenter's new song is a 'petty' response to Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License'

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Fans think Sabrina Carpenter's new song is a 'petty' response to Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License'
Sabrina Carpenter, 21, and Olivia Rodrigo, 17, both starred on Disney Channel.Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images / Rachel Luna/FilmMagic
  • Sabrina Carpenter's new song "Skin" seems like a response to Olivia Rodrigo's "Drivers License."
  • In her own hit song, Rodrigo mentions a "blonde girl" that she's jealous of, possibly Carpenter.
  • Carpenter is reportedly dating Rodrigo's ex-boyfriend, and critics have called her new song "petty."
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Sabrina Carpenter surprise-released a new song on Friday, which seems inspired by Olivia Rodrigo's own smash hit.

In Carpenter's new song, "Skin," she appears to address another girl who's recently caused conflict and put her "in the spotlight."

It also includes lyrics like, "Maybe you didn't mean it / Maybe 'blonde' was the only rhyme" and "Don't drive yourself insane."

Rodrigo released her debut single "Drivers License" on January 8. In the second verse, the 17-year-old singer references a "blonde girl" who's "probably" dating her ex: "She's so much older than me / She's everything I'm insecure about."

Many fans interpreted the line as a reference to Carpenter, 21, who is four years Rodrigo's senior.

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The "Girl Meets World" actress is reportedly dating Joshua Bassett, Rodrigo's "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" costar and apparent ex-boyfriend.

Fans think Sabrina Carpenter's new song is a 'petty' response to Olivia Rodrigo's 'Drivers License'
Sabrina Carpenter and Joshua Bassett, left, wore matching Halloween costumes in 2020.joshuatbassett/TikTok / Kevin Winter/Getty Images

"Drivers License" immediately topped charts worldwide. In addition to praise from fellow artists, including Rodrigo's hero Taylor Swift, the song's success was partially fueled by rumors about its real-life parallels.

Read more: 'Drivers License' by Olivia Rodrigo is TikTok's latest obsession. A speculated love triangle is fueling its popularity.

Indeed, in the chorus of her new song, Carpenter sings, "You can try / To get under my, under my, under my skin / While hе's on mine."

However, "Skin" has not been received with the same open arms.

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"Sabrina" began trending on Twitter Friday morning, as fans joked about Carpenter's imagined reaction to Rodrigo's lyrics.

Many memes depicted her response as overblown or aggressive, while some people described her new song as "petty."

Naturally, many of Carpenter's fans defended her, arguing she has the right to "explain her side" - especially after the success and media coverage of "Drivers License."

Others focused on Carpenter and Rodrigo "fighting over" Bassett, joking that a man isn't worth all this trouble.

A representative for Carpenter did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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