Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella headlining set on Friday night delivered two major surprises: a surprise musical duet with Madonna and a drastically shortened monologue by Geena Davis replacing Susan Sarandon’s extended Weekend One appearance.
The pop star, who turned 26 earlier this year, fulfilled a promise made after her 2024 debut to headline the festival, arriving with two No. 1 singles and a pair of Grammy-nominated albums. Her production was entirely novel, opening with a cinematic video featuring Sam Elliott as a police officer who lets her drive toward Hollywood, culminating in her emerging onstage amid a detailed replica of the Hollywood Hills.
Before Madonna’s arrival, Carpenter leaned into a “Thelma & Louise” motif, with Geena Davis seated in a 1950s-style car amid a makeshift drive-in theater, delivering a monologue as an older “Aunt Sabrina.” Davis’ version was half the length of Sarandon’s Weekend One speech, trimming references to a fictional sister named Laurie and cutting the wistful closing about retaining childhood self-belief. The young drive-in carhop, played by Carpenter’s former “Girl Meets World” costar Corey Fogelmanis, arrived after three and a half minutes instead of seven to support settle her tab.
Davis’ appearance was itself a surprise, coming amid intense rumors that Madonna would join the show — rumors many assumed meant the icon would deliver the monologue. Instead, Madonna was saved for a musical cameo later in the set, performing “Vogue” with Carpenter and what appeared to be an unreleased track. Afterward, Madonna said, “Sabrina, thank you so much for inviting me on your show. What a gas,” to which Carpenter replied, “No thanks needed, Madonna.”
The collaboration carried symbolic weight. Madonna noted she was wearing the same boots, corset, and Gucci jacket from her 2004 Coachella performance, the first time she played the original “Confessions On A Dance Floor” in America. She called it a “full circle moment,” saying, “You can imagine what a thrill it is for me to be back 20 years later.” The two discussed astrology and urged the crowd to connect before performing “Like A Prayer.” Madonna then descended under the stage as the lights went dark, leading into Carpenter’s launch into “Espresso.”
Carpenter has long cited Madonna as an influence, wearing a white sparkly Bob Mackie dress at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards that mirrored one Madonna wore to the 1991 Oscars, and channeling the “Material Girl” era in her February Vogue cover with a cone bra dress and blond curls. Earlier this week, Madonna announced her upcoming album, “Confessions On A Dance Floor: Part II,” set for release July 3 — her first studio album since “Madam X” in 2019.
The Los Angeles Times noted Carpenter’s strong finish with sped-up versions of “Juno,” “Espresso,” and “Goodbye” into “Tears,” accompanied by an elaborate water show that underscored her ability to deliver razzle-dazzle when desired. Earlier in the set, Will Ferrell’s role as an irritated stage tech was taken over by Terry Crews, who played the same part with different dialogue and without the failed cigarette-lighting attempt.
While Carpenter’s homage to Madonna was celebrated by fans as an answered prayer, the juxtaposition of the two guests revealed a tonal shift: Davis’ trimmed monologue avoided the overextension that made Sarandon’s Weekend One appearance feel like a miscalculation, as one audience member remarked that Carpenter “better come out in an amazing outfit” while waiting for the costume change to end.
Why did Susan Sarandon not return for Weekend Two?
Sources indicate Sarandon’s Weekend One monologue was uncomfortably long, and its shortened replacement by Geena Davis lends credence to rumors that Sarandon had been asked to stretch due to a technical delay the previous week.
Did Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna announce a new collaboration?
While they performed what appeared to be an unreleased track together and rumors had swirled about a joint release, neither artist confirmed plans for a new song during or after the set.
