Sabrina Carpenter has revived the nearly forgotten robbery scandal that once rocked several celebrities and some of Hollywood’s most exclusive neighborhoods.
The “Please Please Please” singer paid a nod to the infamous Bling Ring scandal in her music video for “House Tour,” one of the tracks from her latest album, “Man’s Best Friend.”
Carpenter also reflected on her recent appearance at the Met Gala, revealing that duetting with Stevie Nicks “healed many things” in her.
Carpenter turned up the heat and stirred controversy in the official music video for “House Tour,” a track from her new album “Man’s Best Friend.” The 26-year-old pop star bared it all while teaming up with actresses Margaret Qualley and Madelyn Cline.
The video opens with the trio enjoying what appears to be a carefree girls’ night out, but things quickly spiral when they break into a lavish mansion to steal jewelry and other luxury items.
The group unleashes chaos throughout the property, raiding the liquor cabinet, lounging in a bubble bath, making off with valuables, and even stealing a Grammy, all while rocking revealing lingerie looks.
Police eventually arrive in the video, but the trio has already escaped. The clip closes with Carpenter and Qualley seemingly running over a man during their dramatic getaway.
Sabrina Carpenter Revives The Infamous Bling Ring Scandal
Carpenter’s directorial effort for the song’s visuals references “The Bling Ring,” which was based on a true story popularized by a 2010 Vanity Fair article titled “The Suspects Wore Louboutins.”
The article followed a group of wealthy, fame-obsessed young people who, between 2008 and 2009, burglarized the homes of celebrities including Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Rachel Bilson, Brian Austin Green, Megan Fox, and Orlando Bloom, making off with millions of dollars’ worth of valuables.
Nick Prugo, Rachel Lee, Alexis Neiers, Diana Tamayo, and Courtney Ames were among the members of the group that became infamously known as the Bling Ring. The burglars reportedly were not motivated by money alone, but by the thrill of stealing luxury items like jewelry, shoes, and designer bags to flaunt on social media.
The Stars Who Lost Millions To The Bling Ring
The group reportedly carried out the burglaries by using the now-defunct website celebrityaddressaerial.com, which at the time provided celebrity addresses. According to El Pais, they would monitor media coverage to make sure the stars were away from home before breaking in.
That strategy helped them gain access to Paris Hilton’s house, where they allegedly used a key that she often left under a doormat. Hilton reportedly did not realize what was happening until the group had stolen items worth around $2 million.
They also targeted Orlando Bloom after a TMZ report revealed he was filming in New York at the time. The group allegedly stole nearly $500,000 worth of Rolex watches, Louis Vuitton handbags, clothing, and artwork from the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star.
Their final reported victim was Lindsay Lohan, whom Rachel Lee reportedly considered her “ultimate fashion icon,” according to friend Nick Prugo.
How One Bling Ring Member Brought Down The Group
Bling Ring likely could have escaped detection after ending their operation once surveillance footage was released, but Prugo eventually broke down after seeing coverage of their crimes online and turned himself in.
Following his confession, authorities searched the homes of the other members in an effort to recover stolen items. According to reports, investigators found a coat belonging to Lohan and a topless photo of Hilton at Lee’s home.
At Neiers’s residence, police reportedly discovered a Marc Jacobs handbag belonging to Bilson and a Chanel necklace owned by Lohan.
According to CNN, Tamayo was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to complete 60 days of work for the California Department of Transportation. Ringleaders Prugo and Lee received prison sentences of two and four years, respectively, while Ames was sentenced to three years of probation and two months of community service.
Fans Slam Sabrina Carpenter Over ‘House Tour’ Video
Carpenter’s video sparked intense backlash upon release, with many critics accusing the singer of sexualizing herself and glamorizing theft.
“Says all men are stupid. Sexualizes herself for the men… Is she afraid that her music won’t do well without showing her body?” one critic wrote on X.
“What do you expect? Her real content is body showing, not the music. Music is like something to play in the background,” another user commented.
“I have tried to defend her, but I can’t see the irony in this; she literally just sells her body,” one harsh critic wrote, while another added, “Not sure if she’s selling music or an OnlyFans… Why are her music videos always like this?”
