Colman Domingo Channels Dr. Frank-N-Furter in Sabrina Carpenter’s “Tears” Music Video

Sabrina Carpenter, known for her witty lyricism and bold visual style, has released the music video for her latest single “Tears,” the second offering from her much-anticipated seventh studio album Man’s Best Friend . The video, which debuted on August 29, 2025, has quickly garnered attention for its unapologetic embrace of queer camp, with two-time Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo donning Dr. Frank-N-Furter-style drag in a performance that is both a tribute to LGBTQ+ pop culture and a playful subversion of gender expectations .

The “Tears” video opens with Carpenter entering a spooky mansion—a nod to classic queer-coded horror—and quickly finds herself surrounded by drag performers led by Domingo. His transformation channels the iconic energy of The Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Dr. Frank-N-Furter, complete with camp theatrics and extravagant costuming . The playful narrative sees Carpenter stripped down to lingerie and led through a series of surreal, glittering rooms, all while Domingo and his ensemble of drag performers guide her on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment .

Throughout the video, Carpenter’s signature coquettish persona remains front and center, while the presence of queer performers and camp spectacle amplifies the song’s message about demanding more from romantic partners. The track’s lyrics—“I get wet at the thought of you / Being a responsible guy / Treating me like you’re supposed to do”—poke fun at men who offer the bare minimum and celebrate those who rise above it . The video’s spooky motifs and drag elements signal a celebration of LGBTQ+ artistry, aligning with Carpenter’s growing reputation for playful, inclusive storytelling.

Domingo’s presence in “Tears” is significant for both his star power and his history of supporting queer narratives on screen. Best known for his roles in Euphoria and Rustin, Domingo’s turn in drag is a deliberate homage to queer icons and a powerful statement of solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities . By channeling Dr. Frank-N-Furter, Domingo connects Carpenter’s video to decades of queer camp in cinema and theatre—a lineage that includes performers like Tim Curry and RuPaul—and invites viewers to celebrate gender fluidity and creative expression.

The casting of a high-profile, openly queer actor in a role that celebrates drag culture is a visible affirmation of the importance of representation in mainstream media. In recent years, music videos by artists such as Lil Nas X and Sam Smith have furthered this trend, but Carpenter’s collaboration with Domingo stands out for its playful subversion of horror tropes and its unapologetic embrace of queer joy . LGBTQ+ fans have celebrated the video’s release on social media, noting its affirmation of camp aesthetics and its rejection of heteronormative relationship standards .

“Tears” continues themes Carpenter introduced earlier this year with her single “Manchild,” which critiqued immature and underwhelming men . In “Tears,” she escalates her message with sharper humor and a bolder visual palette. The song and video ridicule men who treat women as afterthoughts, while celebrating those who show genuine care and responsibility—a message that resonates with anyone who has navigated the complexities of dating and relationships.

Carpenter’s visual storytelling in “Tears” leverages queer-coded imagery to amplify her message: the mansion’s haunted halls, the drag performers’ exaggerated gestures, and Domingo’s campy charisma all work together to lampoon toxic masculinity while uplifting queer self-expression . Such creative choices reinforce Carpenter’s reputation as an LGBTQ+ ally, using her platform to challenge societal norms and celebrate diversity.

With “Tears,” Sabrina Carpenter and Colman Domingo deliver a music video that is as entertaining as it is meaningful. Through camp, drag, and playful critique, the video affirms the value of queer artistry and the ongoing need for representation and empowerment in media. As Carpenter’s star continues to rise, her collaboration with Domingo marks a milestone in LGBTQ+ visibility—one that invites all viewers to celebrate difference, demand more from relationships, and embrace the joy of queer camp .