Sabrina Carpenter‘s latest album, Short n’ Sweet, has been released for less than a day, yet fans are already analyzing each track for hidden messages. The prevailing theory online is that Sabrina’s songs, ‘Dumb and Poetic’ and ‘Coincidence,’ subtly target none other than her ex Shawn Mendes and his on-again off-again girlfriend Camila Cabello.
Wait, when did Shawn Mendes and Sabrina Carpenter date?
If you were unaware that Sabrina and Shawn ever dated, you’re not alone. The duo kept their brief romance quite secretive, but fortunately for us, online detectives love to investigate.
The dating rumors initially began circulating in February 2023, when an anonymous tip was sent to the gossip account DeuxMoi claiming the pair was seen on what appeared to be a date at a restaurant in Los Angeles.
The source described them as “verrrry comfortable” together, which is practically code for ‘they’re definitely dating’.
By late February, the two were spotted once again walking around LA. By March, they were seen leaving Miley Cyrus‘ album release party together, leading the internet to believe they were a couple.
A source confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that they were indeed “seeing each other” and trying to maintain a low profile, which is what every young couple says when avoiding the paparazzi.
Fans were captivated, noting that Shawn wore Sabrina’s birthstone prominently around his neck at a Vanity Fair event.
But just when it seemed we had a new pop power couple, Shawn threw a wrench in the works during an interview with RTL Boulevard. He firmly denied dating Sabrina, insisting, “We are not dating.”
Fans were understandably confused, especially since Shawn has a history of denying relationships — remember when he claimed he wasn’t dating Camila Cabello right before they were caught kissing? I can’t with this man.
As for Camila, it became evident that Shawn and Sabrina were over when the ‘Stitches’ singer and Camila were filmed kissing at Coachella in April 2023.
Why do fans think that Sabrina Carpenter is shading Camila Cabello in ‘Coincidence’?
Fans believe that Sabrina is directly shading Camila for quickly rekindling her romance with Shawn after their breakup.
People are pointing to these lyrics as a nod to Camila interfering in Sabrina and Shawn’s relationship:
“The second I put my head on your chest
She knew, she’s got a real sixth sense
Now her name comes up once, then it comes up twice
And without her even bein’ here, she’s back in your life
Now she’s in the same damn city on the same damn night“
Fans also see these lyrics as a clear reference to Camila and Shawn being seen kissing at Coachella.
“What a surprise, your phone just died
Your car drove itself from L.A. to her thighs
Palm Springs looks nice, but who’s by your side?“
Sabrina has been keeping tabs on Camila and Shawn’s relationship, not so subtly liking posts of the couple, so it’s not far-fetched to think the drama of their intertwined relationships inspired her album.
Camila has never publicly addressed Sabrina and Shawn’s relationship.
Fans also think Sabrina Carpenter’s song ‘Dumb & Poetic’ is about Shawn Mendes
The track ‘Dumb & Poetic’ is about the most insufferable guy — a mansplainer obsessed with “self-help books” and who loves to “jack off to lyrics by Leonard Cohen”. Unfortunately for Shawn, the internet believes the song is directed at him.
The lyrics, “I promise the mushrooms aren’t changing your life,” are speculated to be a jab at Shawn, who has openly discussed his use of psychedelics and exploration of holistic practices.
He told his concert-goers at a London show, “There were all these crazy articles [about] me joining a cult and me joining a wizard society.” Shawn laughed before admitting he had “tried mushrooms” to gain a new perspective on life.
“I thought about some of these relationships, how some of them were the shortest I’ve ever had and they affected me the most, and I thought about the way that I respond to situations,” Sabrina told Zane Lowe. “Sometimes it is very nice, and sometimes it’s not very nice.”
She continued: “Hence songs like ‘Dumb & Poetic’, a gentle acoustic ballad that’s also a blistering takedown of a guy who masks his sleazy tendencies with therapy buzzwords and highbrow record collection.”
There are a few people who think the song could also be about Joshua Basset, who has also spoken about his experiences on mushrooms. A man with a guitar who claims mushrooms ‘change his life’ — groundbreaking.
Whoever the song is about, I’d go into hiding for the duration of this album’s promotion if I were them.
Anyway, I’m off to analyze the rest of the album because with a mentor like Taylor Swift, there are bound to be many more easter eggs within Short n’ Sweet.
Lead image: Getty Images
