Sabrina Carpenter Reflects on Her Initial Heartbreak Two Years Ago

Sabrina Carpenter is discussing her 2021 breakup, which coincided with her apparent separation from ex Joshua Bassett. "I was devastated two years ago." "I was in a completely different mental state," Carpenter, 24, revealed to Zane Lowe on Apple 1's New Music Daily. "It was my first real heartbreak."

When going through something like that, you question yourself and take it personally. The singer said her instincts and confidence were doubted after the split. Carpenter stated that her new song "Espresso" reflects her experiences in her last breakup and her current life situation. She mentioned that the line "my give a f–ks are on vacation" captures her current mindset. She believes that the song accurately represents where she is at the moment and the growth she has undergone in the past two years. Overall, she is now enjoying herself and having fun, which she considers to be the biggest difference.

Rumors started in June 2020 when she was seen with Bassett, 23, at a Black Lives Matter protest in Los Angeles. It caused a stir as fans believed the actor was still dating Olivia Rodrigo. Rodrigo, 21, and Carpenter never confirmed seeing Bassett, but their music fueled speculation. In January 2021, Rodrigo released "Driver's License," mentioning an older blonde. In the same month, Carpenter released "Skin," where she sang the lyrics "Maybe we could've been friends / If I met you in another life." She also referenced Rodrigo's song title with the line "Don't drive yourself insane." Carpenter denied it was a diss track during a February 2021 appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden, saying people always make narratives out of things. "I believe this song was intriguingly open to misinterpretation, deviating from its original intent.

Carpenter released her song 'Skinny Dipping' that same year, exploring the pursuit of closure post-breakup." Soon after, she hinted at her single status in a TikTok alongside a soundbite saying, "I'm in pursuit of love. Just got out of a relationship...maybe. Wishing to find a lifelong partner." Carpenter is now dating actor Barry Keoghan since December 2023.