Sabrina Carpenter Made a Surprise Appearance at A Nonsense Christmas Screening in New York City

Attention all Clauses and Carpenters: On December 5, A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter screened for fans at The Paris Theater in New York City — and Sabrina Carpenter herself made a surprise appearance. 

“I feel so, so lucky that this theater is full of beautiful people, and you’re all so happy to be here. There’s so much to say — I don’t think anyone expected I was making a Christmas special this year,” Carpenter told the crowd ahead of the screening, noting that it’s a creative endeavor she’s always dreamed of bringing to life. During the event, fans were delighted with photo ops, custom Santa hats, and sweet treats. 

The special arrives a year after Carpenter released her holiday EP, fruitcake, which has an interesting backstory of its own. Turns out the six-song collection could have had a very different tone. “I had always told my friends, ‘Someday when we're bored, we're making a Christmas EP,” Carpenter said to her fans at the screening. “At first, it was going to be a very dirty Christmas EP. I only wanted it to be naughty, naughty, naughty. And then I started writing it, and I got sad. I was like, Christmas has more heart to it.”

A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter, which streams exclusively on Netflix on Friday, December 6 at 6 pm PST / 9 pm EST, showcases pop icon Carpenter performing songs from fruitcake and other chart-topping holiday covers. Other holiday treats include guest performances from Chappell Roan, Tyla, Shania Twain, and Kali Uchis, as well as a comedic cameo from Quinta Brunson. A Nonsense Christmas also includes appearances from Nico Hiraga, Cara Delevingne, Kyle Mooney, Megan Stalter, Sean Astin, Owen Thiele, and Jillian Bell.

“We all had such a great time on set,” Carpenter tells Tudum. “It was so fun to collaborate with such talented artists and friends of mine, and it was the first time I performed with all of our musical guests, and I’m such a fan of them all. Filming was so exciting because all the guests got to bring something personal and unique to the special. It felt like we were making our own Christmas traditions together, so that was really fulfilling.”

If you’re watching at home, Carpenter has some tips for enjoying the show. “I always loved watching Christmas movies with friends and family,” she says. (The Grinch was her favorite.) “So, I would say get a crew together, maybe make your favorite holiday drink or treat and watch the special. Or if you want more of a cozy vibe, have a personal self-care night in and just relax and enjoy the show. Or, Netflix and chill.”

Carpenter produced A Nonsense Christmas alongside OBB Pictures under her At Last Productions banner, with producers Michael D. Ratner, Scott Ratner, Simone Spira, and Kfir Goldberg for OBB; Bill Perlman and Janelle Lopez Genzink.