The Viral Truth: Did Sabrina Carpenter Really Kiss Jenna Ortega? (The Definitive 2024 Answer)

The short answer is a resounding Yes, Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega did share a kiss, but the context is far more dramatic and cinematic than a casual outing. This highly-publicized on-screen moment is the centerpiece of the music video for Carpenter's smash-hit single, "Taste," which was released in August 2024 as part of her record-breaking Short n' Sweet album. The video, a darkly comedic and horror-themed spectacle, immediately sent the internet into a frenzy, not just for the shocking plot twist but for the unexpected pairing of two of the biggest stars in pop culture today.

The speculation about a real-life romance between the two friends quickly overshadowed the song itself, forcing both the singer and the actress to address the intense fan curiosity. The true nature of their relationship, the inspiration behind the murderous music video, and the internet's reaction to the kiss are all part of a fascinating moment that defined the summer of 2024. This article breaks down the definitive facts, the rumors, and the deeper meaning behind the viral scene.

Who Are Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega? A Quick Biography Profile

Before diving into the "Taste" phenomenon, it's essential to understand the individual star power of the two artists involved. Both Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega have transitioned from Disney and child acting roots to become global icons, dominating the music and film industries respectively.

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Sabrina Carpenter: Pop's Reigning Sweetheart

• Full Name: Sabrina Annlynn Carpenter
• Date of Birth: May 11, 1999 (Age: 26 as of December 2025)
• Hometown: Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actress
• Notable Acting Roles: Maya Hart in Disney Channel's Girl Meets World, Jenny Parker in Adventures in Babysitting.
• Key Music Achievements: Platinum-selling singles "Nonsense," "Feather," and the global phenomenon "Espresso." Her 2024 album, Short n' Sweet, was a massive commercial success.
• Relationship Status (Public): Has been linked to actor Barry Keoghan, with their relationship being a major topic of public interest throughout 2024.

Jenna Ortega: The Queen of Scream and Global Star

• Full Name: Jenna Marie Ortega
• Date of Birth: September 27, 2002 (Age: 23 as of December 2025)
• Hometown: Coachella Valley, California, U.S.
• Occupation: Actress
• Notable Roles: Wednesday Addams in Netflix's Wednesday (which earned her a Golden Globe nomination), Tara Carpenter in the Scream film franchise, and Ellie Alves in You.
• Key Style/Persona: Known for her dark, gothic, and deadpan aesthetic, which she has masterfully leveraged into a powerful brand.
• Relationship Status (Public): Extremely private about her personal life and has repeatedly stated she is single, focusing on her career.

The Definitive Context: The "Taste" Music Video Kiss

The viral moment that sparked the "Did Sabrina Carpenter kiss Jenna Ortega?" question is not a candid photo or leaked footage, but a deliberate, scripted scene from a major music video. The video for "Taste," a track from the 2024 Short n' Sweet album, is a campy, horror-inspired masterpiece that takes cues from classic slasher films.

The Plot of the Murderous Feud

The "Taste" music video tells a story of revenge and betrayal. Sabrina Carpenter’s character discovers that her partner has been cheating on her with another woman, played by Jenna Ortega. What follows is a darkly funny, over-the-top rivalry where the two women repeatedly try to murder each other, only to be resurrected and continue their deadly game.

The kiss occurs during one of their confrontations. In a dramatic, almost theatrical moment of violence and passion, the two characters—who are rivals for the same man—share a brief but intense kiss. The scene is a clear narrative device, highlighting the complex, almost obsessive nature of their rivalry and the blurring lines between hatred and desire in a revenge fantasy.

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The Artistic Intent and Fan Reaction

The video’s director and the artists clearly intended for the scene to be shocking and memorable. The inclusion of Jenna Ortega, who is known for her roles in the horror genre (like Scream and Wednesday), was a perfect thematic match for the video's dark humor. The scene immediately became a cultural moment, with fans praising the chemistry between the two stars.

For many fans, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, the kiss was a significant, albeit fictional, moment. The internet buzzed with excitement, and the scene was widely clipped and shared, leading to the explosion of the initial dating rumors.

Addressing the Rumors: Are Sabrina and Jenna Dating in Real Life?

The on-screen chemistry and the viral nature of the kiss fueled immediate and widespread speculation that Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega were dating in real life. However, both the facts and the stars themselves have clarified the nature of their relationship.

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The Reality: A Deep-Rooted Friendship

Despite the passionate on-screen rivalry, Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega are, in fact, real-life friends. Their bond is reported to be deeper than many people realize, and their friendship predates the "Taste" music video. The decision to cast Ortega in the video was a creative collaboration between two friends, leveraging their combined star power and Ortega's expertise in the horror-comedy genre.

Their appearance together at various events, including leaving the Met Gala afterparty, has only further delighted fans who support their friendship, even if they aren't a romantic couple.

Jenna Ortega Breaks Her Silence

The dating rumors became so pervasive that Jenna Ortega publicly addressed them. Like her approach to all relationship speculation, Ortega has maintained that she is single and that the rumors are unfounded. She made it clear that her involvement in the "Taste" video was purely professional and a favor to a friend.

This clarification aligns with both stars' public personas: Sabrina is known for her candid lyrics that often reference her romantic life (like the widely speculated references to Joshua Bassett and the public relationship with Barry Keoghan), while Jenna is notoriously private and career-focused, often shutting down dating rumors swiftly.

The Topical Authority: The Queer-Baiting Discussion and LSI Keywords

The kiss between two globally famous female stars inevitably led to a broader discussion on social media, touching on several relevant cultural entities and LSI keywords:

• Queer-Baiting Allegations: A significant part of the online conversation revolved around whether the kiss constituted "queer-baiting"—the practice of implying a queer relationship to attract LGBTQ+ viewers without actually depicting one.
• The Defense: Many fans and commentators argued against the queer-baiting label, pointing out that the kiss was a minor part of a larger, heterosexual revenge plot where the main focus was on a cheating man. The video's primary theme is break-up and revenge, not a romantic storyline between the two women.
• Barry Keoghan Context: The song "Taste" and its themes of betrayal and break-up were released amidst intense media scrutiny of Sabrina Carpenter's relationship with actor Barry Keoghan. Some theories suggested the video's plot was a subtle commentary or a metaphorical break-up statement, using the dramatic rivalry to express her feelings indirectly.

Ultimately, the "Taste" music video, featuring the kiss between Sabrina Carpenter and Jenna Ortega, was a masterstroke of pop culture marketing. It successfully launched a major single, generated a massive amount of social media buzz, and solidified both stars as powerful, media-savvy forces in the entertainment world, all while confirming the strength of their real-life friendship.