Usher playfully fed Sabrina Carpenter a cherry during his 2025 Met Gala performance, sparking her dad’s “? Weird” text and a warm “Apologies Mr. Carpenter” reply
Usher’s Playful Cherry Moment at the 2025 Met Gala
During the Met Gala on May 5, 2025, Usher surprised guests with a surprise performance alongside Stevie Wonder. In a signature move first popularized during his Las Vegas residency, Usher selected pop star Sabrina Carpenter to be his “cherry girl,” feeding her a single cherry on stage as cameras captured her playful reaction with her tongue out EW.com.
A Father’s “? Weird” Text
Later that evening, Carpenter shared an Instagram carousel featuring the cherry-feeding snapshot. Her father, David Carpenter, had already seen the viral clip on Twitter and texted his daughter simply, “? Weird.” Sabrina cheekily included this exchange in her post, giving fans a glimpse of the moment that had even dad raising an eyebrow People.com.
Usher’s Lighthearted Apology
Ever the gentleman, Usher descended into the comments of Sabrina’s Instagram post with a playful apology:
“Apologies Mr. Carpenter 😅🍒”
His comment immediately endeared him to followers, showcasing the singer’s good humor and respect for family boundaries EW.comPeople.com.
Reactions from Fans and Social Media
Social media lit up with laughter and affectionate jabs at the dad’s reaction. One Twitter user quipped, “‘? Weird’ should be the next album name,” while another declared, “Last slide is CLASSIC dad text” OK Magazine. On TikTok, @devotedly.yours reposted Sabrina’s post, captioning it:
“Sabrina Carpenter shares her dad’s reaction to being fed cherries by Usher at the Met Gala #metgala2025”
The video has since amassed hundreds of thousands of views, delighting viewers with the wholesome family moment TikTok.
Video Highlight
For a closer look at the moment that has everyone talking, watch Usher feeding Sabrina Carpenter a cherry at the Met Gala YouTube.
The Cherry Tradition and Usher’s Early Inspiration
Usher has explained that the cherry-feeding bit evolved organically from his Vegas shows. On The Jennifer Hudson Show, he revealed:
“It started with strawberries in Vegas… I figured we’d try all the fruits until we found the best. Cherries were fun and a bit erotic.” The News International
Sabrina Carpenter’s Daring Met Gala Look
Beyond the cherry moment, Sabrina stole the red carpet in a Louis Vuitton burgundy tuxedo-style bodysuit—pantless by design—courtesy of Pharrell Williams, who joked it was tailored to suit her petite frame People.com. She completed the look with custom “LV” nail art and sky-high heels, later celebrating the evening with close friend Jenna Ortega in the VIP lounge.
Conclusion:
What began as a playful on-stage gesture blossomed into a viral family moment, highlighting Usher’s showmanship and Sabrina Carpenter’s lighthearted embrace of her dad’s candid reaction. With a warm apology and millions of fans amused, the cherry moment will surely be remembered as one of the Met Gala’s most endearing highlights.
