Rina Sawayama has called out part of Sabrina Carpenter’s recent Saturday Night Live performance for missing the mark on cultural respect.
Over the weekend, Carpenter performed her song ‘Nobody’s Son’ on SNL in a martial arts–inspired setup. Dressed in a short white robe and black belt, she sang as background dancers acted out a fight scene behind her.
On Sunday (Oct. 19), Sawayama took to Instagram Stories to share a clip from the segment. Her focus wasn’t on the choreography or the vocals — but on the details. Zooming in on the shoes worn by Carpenter’s dancers, the Japanese-British artist wrote:
“Big love to Sabrina but fellow artists creative teams … if we are clearly referencing a culture, please can you do so with the research, respect and care it deserves.”
She added bluntly:
“Shoes on tatami is jail.”
⛚ Rina Sawayama via Instagram Stories
big love to Sabrina ❤️ but fellow artists creative teams… if we are clearly referencing a culture please can you do so with the research, respect and care it deserves
Shoes on tatami is jail
‣ 19•10•2025 pic.twitter.com/wRRfHpBOCK
— rina sawayama archive (@sawayamarchived) October 19, 2025
For context, tatami is a traditional Japanese flooring material made from rice straw — and wearing shoes (or even slippers) on it is considered highly disrespectful.
Read more: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Singers Make Surprise ‘SNL’ Cameo
Sawayama’s comments come after Carpenter’s SNL hosting debut, where she also performed ‘Manchild,’ joked about her Man’s Best Friend album cover controversy, and spoofed Taylor Swift’s ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ in a ‘Domingo’ sketch.
‘Nobody’s Son’ appears on Man’s Best Friend, which dropped in August and marked Carpenter’s second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200. The track peaked at No. 12 on the Hot 100, while lead single “Manchild” hit No. 1.
