Sexualization within the music industry is nothing new. Ever since music videos from the 1970s and 1980s, women have been portrayed in hyper-sexualized ways by male artists such as ZZ Top and Robert Palmer.
As more women entered the industry, they were also objectified by the media. One prominent example of this is Britney Spears, whose early-2000s image was heavily shaped around her youth and desirability.
The promotion and normalization of hyper-sexual songs and performances by producers has intensified the issue. Today, it is arguably getting worse.
However, in recent years, female artists have attempted to reclaim their sexual identities, framing their image as self-directed. This presentation suggests that their sexuality originates from personal empowerment rather than industry pressure.
Responsibility for sexualized content is increasingly reframed as artists’ personal choice rather than an industry expectation. Artists such as Madonna in the 1980s and, more recently, Cardi B, have framed sexual freedom as a form of control over their own narrative. This shift appears to move from industry- regulated image-making toward presenting sexual expression as an act of autonomy.
Yet, is this reclamation actually positive? Even today, artist-driven music videos and song lyrics are criticised as “too sexual.” Although responsibility for sexualization has moved from producers and managers to artists, the result—objectification— remains the same.
Many people criticize artists such as Sabrina Carpenter. She faced attacks for her styling and stage presentation, rather than explicit nudity, in her 2026 Grammys Performance of “Manchild.” Her album cover for Man’s Best Friend features a stylized, pinup-inspired outfit where she suggestively pulls a man’s tie, a presentation a social media user argued “sets women back 20 years.”
Even when artists preach individuality, their actions are still, unfortunately, shaped by what the media rewards.
Artist Chappell Roan, who claims to produce music “for girls,” arrived at the Grammys in an outfit with her chest exposed. It is a pity that discourse always revolves around how women are “setting us back” instead of how the music industry makes sexual displays profitable.
Male artists have also begun to experience increased sexualization in mainstream performances. Justin Bieber’s 2026 Grammy performance, where he wore only silver boxers, generated attention but was largely framed as a personal stylistic choice.
Although nudity is becoming more prevalent in mainstream performance, it is increasingly framed as a reflection of industry normals.
By treating sexualization as an individual choice, the industry avoids scrutiny—even as it continues to profit from it across both male and female artists.
