Singer Sabrina Carpenter has apologised after facing criticism for describing a traditional Arabic celebratory call as “weird” during her Coachella performance.
The controversy began when a video clip from her set showed Carpenter reacting to a fan performing a Zaghrouta, a form of ululation widely used in Middle Eastern and North African celebrations. Mistaking it for yodelling, the singer questioned the sound and remarked that she did not like it, prompting backlash online.
Responding to criticism on X, Carpenter said her reaction had been misunderstood and was not intended to offend. “My apologies, I didn’t see the person clearly and couldn’t hear properly. My reaction was confusion and sarcasm, not ill-intentioned. I could have handled it better,” she wrote, adding that she has since learned about the cultural significance of the Zaghrouta.
The artist also said she welcomes “all cheers and yodels” going forward.
The incident drew criticism from some social media users, who described the comments as culturally insensitive. The Zaghrouta is a traditional expression of joy across parts of the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region and has appeared in global pop culture, including performances by artists such as Shakira.
Carpenter, a Grammy-winning artist, is one of the headline acts at this year’s Coachella festival, alongside performers including Justin Bieber and Karol G. Her set also featured guest appearances from actors Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell.
