Sabrina Carpenter clarifies remarks after confusion over Arabic zaghrouta at Coachella

Sabrina Carpenter has issued an apology after facing backlash over comments she made during her Coachella performance, where she mistakenly referred to a traditional Arabic celebratory sound as yodelling.

The singer, who headlined the festival on Friday night, reacted mid-show after hearing a crowd member perform a Zaghrouta a celebratory ululation commonly used in Arab culture.

“I think I heard someone yodel,” Carpenter said on stage, drawing laughter from the audience. “Is that what you’re doing?”

When a fan responded, “It’s my culture,” Carpenter appeared confused. “That’s your culture, is yodelling?” she asked, before adding, “Is this Burning Man? What’s going on? This is weird.”

The exchange quickly spread online, prompting criticism from users who called her remarks insensitive and tone-deaf.

Following the backlash, Carpenter addressed the incident on X, saying her reaction came from misunderstanding rather than intent.

“I didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear her clearly,” she wrote. “My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. Could have handled it better!”

The singer added that she has since learned what a Zaghrouta is and welcomed “all cheers and yodels” going forward.

Carpenter was among the headliners at this year’s Coachella festival, alongside artists including Justin Bieber and Karol G.