Pedro Pascal praises Sabrina Carpenter for her powerful message

More than just a music celebration at the VMAs, with special performances, viral moments, and highly anticipated recognitions, this time, one of the most popular artists in recent years decided to send a powerful message.

The internet lit up with praise for Sabrina Carpenter’s rain-soaked performance of ‘Tears,’ and one response stood out. Pedro Pascal showed his approval and celebrated the singer’s message, praising her with a subtle reaction.

© NBC

While their last public link was a playful sketch on the ‘SNL 50’ special earlier this year, Pedro’s post showed his admiration for Sabrina

The ‘Last of Us’ star didn’t need a press release or red carpet moment to make his stance clear. Just a single photo on his Instagram Stories, showcasing Sabrina at the end of her performance, surrounded by drag performers and trans women, accompanied by a crown emoji.

© Mike Coppola

Sabrina was joined by a lineup of queer performers

While their last public link was a playful sketch on the ‘SNL 50’ special earlier this year, Pedro’s post showed that his admiration for the singer runs deeper than comedy cameos, showing solidarity for her powerful message.

© NBC

Sabrina Carpenter as Sophie and Pedro Pascal as Renaldo

Sabrina was joined by a lineup of queer performers, including Denali, Symone, Willam, Laganja Estranja, Lexi Love, Dashaun Wesley, and Honey Balenciaga. Together, they turned the stage into a vibrant, unapologetic celebration of trans rights, inspired by Britney Spears’ iconic rain-soaked tour visuals.

Signs lifted by dancers read on stage, ‘In Trans We Trust’ and ‘Protect Trans Rights.’ The actor shared a still from the moment, with Sabrina performing in a jeweled bra.

© Arturo Holmes

Sabrina Carpenter performs during the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards

Pedro has been a longtime and outspoken supporter of LGBTQ rights. His sister, Lux Pascal, came out as a trans woman in 2021, and since then, he’s consistently used his platform to call out transphobia and elevate queer voices.

He also made headlines in April when he wore a ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt by designer Conner Ives to the UK premiere of ‘Thunderbolts.’ All proceeds from the shirt support Trans Lifeline, a nonprofit dedicated to helping trans individuals in crisis. 

© Joe Maher

Pedro Pascal wore a ‘Protect the Dolls’ T-shirt by designer Conner Ives to the UK premiere of ‘Thunderbolts.’

And when J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans stance resurfaced online, Pedro didn’t hesitate to respond. Sabrina also doubled down on her message later that night, accepting the award for Best Album (Short n’ Sweet). She used her speech to thank and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.

“To my queens: This world, as we all know, can be so full of criticism and discrimination and negativity. So to get to be part of something so… more often than not, that can bring you light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is yours… I’m so grateful. So grateful to do that.”

© Manny Carabel

Sabrina also doubled down on her message later that night, accepting the award for Best Album

Later, she added, “To be part of something that can bring light, make you smile, make you dance, and make you feel like the world is your f—g oyster. I’m so grateful to do that.”