Pop star called fan’s Arabic celebration call “weird yodeling” — then issued a swift apology hours later
By S. JHA
Mumbai, April 12, 2026 — Sabrina Carpenter has apologised after a viral moment from her headlining Coachella 2026 set — in which she mistook a fan’s Zaghrouta, a traditional Arabic celebratory call, for yodelling — drew widespread backlash and accusations of cultural insensitivity.
As Carpenter sat at her piano on Coachella’s main stage, a fan in the audience let out a Zaghrouta. Carpenter said into the mic: “I think I heard someone yodel. Is that what you’re doing? I don’t like it.” The fan called back: “It’s my culture!” Carpenter replied: “That’s your culture, is yodelling?” When the fan clarified it was a call of celebration, Carpenter responded: “Is this Burning Man? This is weird.”
The exchange was captured on video and spread rapidly across social media. The interaction sparked backlash, with some accusing Carpenter of being “insensitive and Islamophobic.”
The Apology
Hours after the performance, Carpenter posted directly on X: “My apologies, I didn’t see this person with my eyes and couldn’t hear clearly. My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended. Could have handled it better! Now I know what a Zaghrouta is! I welcome all cheers and yodels from here on out.”
The apology received significant praise from fans, who viewed the moment as a miscommunication. The original poster also accepted the singer’s explanation.
Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella Backlash: ‘Zaghrouta’ Sparks Storm
What Is a Zaghrouta?
The Zaghrouta is a type of ululation embedded in the wider culture of the SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) region — a celebration of Middle Eastern joy that last entered the wider pop cultural conversation during the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show, when Shakira, of Lebanese descent, trilled during her performance.
The Show Itself
The controversy came amid what was otherwise a landmark night. Taking the Coachella stage at 9:05 p.m. PDT, Carpenter transformed the desert into “Sabrinawood,” a cinematic concept reframing the show as a live film production, with cameos from Sam Elliott, Susan Sarandon and Will Ferrell replacing traditional guest features. Carpenter is one of this year’s Coachella headliners alongside Justin Bieber and Karol G. She is due to return for Weekend 2 on April 17.
FAQ
Q: What did Sabrina Carpenter do at Coachella 2026?
A: She mistook a fan’s Zaghrouta — a traditional Arabic celebratory call — for yodelling, saying “I don’t like it” and calling it “weird” onstage.
Q: Did Sabrina Carpenter apologise for the Zaghrouta incident?
A: Yes. Hours after the performance, she posted an apology on X saying her reaction was “pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended.”
Q: What is a Zaghrouta?
A: A Zaghrouta is a traditional ululation used by women in Arab, North African and Middle Eastern cultures to express joy at celebrations like weddings.
Q: When is Sabrina Carpenter performing at Coachella again?
A: She returns for Coachella Weekend 2 on April 17, 2026.
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