NEWS
Sabrina Carpenter has announced a deluxe version of ‘Short N’ Sweet’, and it features Dolly Parton.
Announcing the news on social media, the ‘Espresso’ singer wrote: “as a thank you for giving this album 2 Grammy’s :’) short n’ sweet deluxe is now available for pre order.. and yes that does say featuring Miss Dolly Parton…. ???she wouldn’t want me to swear but holy shit!!!!!”
The deluxe version of Carpenter’s ‘Short N’ Sweet’ is set to come out on Valentine’s Day (February 14). Parton is set to join Carpenter on a remix of ‘Please Please Please’, and since the country star is known for not cussing it’s unclear if the word “motherfucker” will be included in the track.
NME gave ‘Short N’ Sweet’ four stars in a review, praising the album for Carpenter’s ability to musically find herself. “Musically, Carpenter mostly finds that niche she’s been searching for, getting comfortable in a country-pop groove on the likes of ‘Coincidence’ and ‘Please Please Please’, or nailing frothy pop bops like ‘Taste’ and ‘Juno’,” it reads.
“For the most part, though, who Sabrina Carpenter is has never been clearer – and her long-awaited, hard-earned climb to pop’s summit should continue with ease.”
Carpenter received 2025 Grammy nominations for Album Of The Year, Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, as well as Song Of The Year for ‘Please Please Please’ and Record Of The Year for ‘Espresso’, taking home awards for Best Pop Solo Performance with ‘Espresso’ and Best Pop Vocal Album for ‘Short ‘N Sweet‘.
At the Grammy Awards Show, which took place on Sunday (February 2), she performed a big band-inspired medley of ‘Espresso’ and ‘Please Please Please’.
In other Dolly Parton-related news, in December 2024 she announced an open casting call for a new musical based on her life. Titled Dolly: An Original Musical, the show is set to follow the life and career of the singer, and will feature a combination of both her biggest hits and some new material written especially for the show.
Zara Larsson has indicated that she may have cancelled her December 3 appearance at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The singer initially confirmed that she would not attend, before removing the comment and sharing a more detailed explanation of why the performance no longer feels right for her.
The Swedish star was scheduled to take the stage at Etihad Live on Yas Island during the Yasalam After-Race Concerts. Zara and Lewis Capaldi were due to launch the weekend’s entertainment. However, supporters encouraged her to reconsider the booking because of concerns surrounding the United Arab Emirates’ reported connections to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary organisation accused of committing atrocities during the nation’s civil conflict.
A fan commented: “Please read about what UAE is doing to Sudan then cancel your Abu Dhabi show!” Zara responded: “I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.” Fans later realised that both comments had been removed.
She then shared that she had been considering what it means for her, as an artist, to perform in particular countries.
The Midnight Sun singer explained: “I think about that a lot in my life as an artist… I wanna perform and spread joy and music for people in every country, because no single person is their government.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people from every corner of the world and I know this to be true in my heart. I love people, and I love my fans soooo much.”
Zara acknowledged that her original comment “maybe came off as an impulsive response,” but explained that she had given the booking serious thought. She now believes withdrawing is the decision that “aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”
She continued: “Maybe I’ll delete both comments and do a better statement soon. I hope to sing with you in the beautiful future!”
