Sabrina Carpenter apologises for mistaking fan's culture for yodeling at Coachella

Sabrina Carpenter issued an apology after she mistakenly described a fan’s celebratory Arabic call as “yodeling” during her main performance at Coachella, leading to a stir.

“I’m sorry,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday afternoon. “I didn’t visually notice this individual and couldn’t hear correctly. My response was filled with confusion and sarcasm, with no harm intended. I could have addressed it differently!”

“Now I understand what a zaghrouta is!” she added. “I appreciate all cheers and yodels moving forward.”

During her performance on Friday night at the California festival’s main stage, Carpenter paused between songs upon hearing a loud shout from the audience.

After completing her song “Please Please Please,” she sat at her keyboard while the audience quietened—except for a fan who kept calling out.

“Sounds like someone was yodeling,” Carpenter remarked, encouraging the fan to repeat the noise.

“Is that what you’re doing?” she asked. “Not a fan of it.”

“It’s part of my culture,” the fan responded.

“Yodeling is your culture?” Carpenter replied.

The fan mentioned it was a “call of celebration,” to which Carpenter remarked: “Is this Burning Man? What’s happening? This is strange.” Coachella/Youtube

“It’s a call of celebration,” the fan clarified.

Carpenter didn’t further acknowledge the explanation and instead joked, “Is this Burning Man? What’s happening? This feels weird.”

The interaction quickly gained attention online, with many identifying the sound as “zaghrouta,” a traditional celebratory vocal expression in Arabic cultures often heard at weddings and gatherings.

The incident stirred debate on social platforms about whether Carpenter’s response was appropriate.

Yet, some came to the “Espresso” singer's defense in light of the criticism.

Before starting her next song, Carpenter explained to the audience the pause, saying, “You know, last time I performed at Coachella, I had some unexpected piano issues, so I’m just ensuring everything is set.”

She then introduced “We Almost Broke Up Again Last Night” saying, “I’d like to sing a new song I've never performed from ‘Man’s Best Friend.’

Carpenter’s Old Hollywood-themed show also featured some surprise appearances.

Susan Sarandon made an appearance as an older version of the pop star in a theatrical skit, after she mentioned being blacklisted in Hollywood due to her pro-Palestine stance.