In a plot twist no one saw coming, 26-year-old pop star Sabrina Carpenter has sparked international headlines after being romantically linked to Arnold B. Merriweather, an 89-year-old billionaire and founder of Apex Broadcasting Group.
The rumors caught fire after the pair were photographed vacationing on a private yacht off the Amalfi Coast. In the now-viral image, Sabrina is seen walking barefoot alongside the aging mogul, smiling as she clutches his arm. Dressed in an elegant silk dress and oversized sunglasses, she looked every bit the modern-day starlet, while Merriweather — sharply dressed in a navy blazer and white slacks — appeared calm and collected with a cane in one hand and Sabrina in the other.
The internet reached meltdown status when paparazzi footage surfaced of Sabrina responding to a reporter who asked what drew her to the nearly 90-year-old man. Her response?
“I love him… because he’s handsome.”
Billionaire With a Broadcasting Empire
Arnold B. Merriweather is no stranger to fame. The media mogul, estimated to be worth over $14.9 billion, made his fortune building one of the most powerful privately owned media empires in the United States. Known for his sharp wit and no-nonsense boardroom persona, Merriweather has kept a relatively low profile in recent years following the death of his wife in 2008.
Now, at nearly 90, he finds himself thrust back into the public eye — but this time, on the arm of a woman 63 years his junior.
Fans React: From Confusion to Support
The relationship has divided fans across social media.
“She really said ‘handsome’ and expected us not to scream???” one user tweeted.
Another wrote, “She’s doing what every broke college student dreams of. I can’t even hate her.”
Others were more critical, questioning the nature of the relationship and whether it’s genuine.
Still, many defended the couple, pointing out that Sabrina is an adult capable of making her own decisions — and that love in Hollywood rarely follows traditional rules.
A PR Stunt or True Romance?
Industry insiders remain skeptical. Some speculate the relationship could be a calculated publicity move ahead of Sabrina’s rumored new single, “Daddy’s Credit Card,” which is said to reference “emerald mansions” and “leather-bound secrets.”
A source close to the singer claims,
“She’s said more than once that dating 20-something guys is exhausting — they can’t hold a conversation or a job. Arnold makes her feel protected. And yes, she’s aware of how it looks.”
Family Tensions Rising
Meanwhile, sources say Arnold’s adult children are “deeply disturbed” by the relationship and have begun speaking with estate lawyers. One family member, speaking anonymously, reportedly called the situation “a surreal nightmare.”
Despite the family drama, neither Sabrina nor Arnold has made an official statement confirming or denying the rumors.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s a summer fling, a mutually beneficial arrangement, or a sincere love story that defies societal norms, one thing is certain: Sabrina Carpenter knows exactly what she’s doing — and the world is watching.
And maybe, just maybe, when she says “I love him because he’s handsome,” she really means it.