Diary 💗 Sabrina, Eartha, and the unexpected genius of comedic self-love

Before the Espresso singer, Eartha Kitt paved the way for us to embrace desire

🏆 A top-read post

There would be no Sabrina without Eartha

I love Sabrina Carpenter and Eartha Kitt for the same reason: they’re delicate and strong at the same time. They’re glittery and girly, sexy and powerful, like pop stars in an R-rated Barbieland with a palpable infusion of don’t-fuck-with-me energy.

They sing about desire and self-love, and it feels good to listen.

Sabrina is probably best-known for celebrating her sensuality, and women all around the world adore her for it.

“My message has always been clear: if you can’t handle a girl who is confident in her own sexuality, then don’t come to my shows.”

In a culture of ✩sex positivity✩ and OnlyFans, it’s easy to take for granted how we got here.

In the 1950s, Eartha Kitt paved the way for future generations of women to embrace their bodies in a way that no one had before. During a time when women were expected to act demure and discreet, she did the opposite.

Adopting a proud public image as a sex kitten, she shocked practically everyone. She expressed her carnal side through her music, even growling in a cat-like purr in many of her songs.

Despite popular opinion, she knew that discussing sex was nothing for a woman to be ashamed about. Eartha endured criticism, racism, and sexism but never stopped.

Her openness even got her labeled a “sadistic nymphomaniac” by the CIA.