Fact Check: Did Stray Kids' Hyunjin And Sabrina Carpenter Have A "Flirty" Interaction At The VMAs?

On September 12, the 2023 VMAs took place, honoring musicians’ contributions over the last year. Stray Kids were one of two K-Pop groups in attendance and made history by performing during the show and winning the “Best K-Pop” award.

Fans were excited by these two things and how they would see other celebrities interact with the group, like Taylor Swift, who rocked out during their performance.

Taylor Swift Goes Viral For Her Reaction To Stray Kids At The 2023 VMAs

Many were sure that American singer Sabrina Carpenter would also interact with the group, as she is known to be a huge K-Pop fan.

BLACKPINK’s Lisa and Sabrina Carpenter. | *@sabrinacarpenter/Instagram*

While Sabrina Carpenter’s interactions with TXT were well-recorded as she greeted the group backstage, STAY initially believed she did not cross paths with Stray Kids.

SABRINA AND TXT TOGETHER OMGGG#VMA pic.twitter.com/0n3VBcCrlp

— ✵ (@txtdom) September 13, 2023

That is until a viral TikTok showed Sabrina seemingly interacting with Hyunjin while the group were on stage.

As Stray Kids accepted their award for “Best K-Pop,” Hyunjin and Sabrina appear to make eye contact a couple of times before the singer shyly waves at him while smiling.

A TikTok depicting this “moment” between the two hit over 2 million views in less than two days.

@strayhyunlix22

🥹 #hyunjin #straykids #ฮยอนจิน

♬ เสียงต้นฉบับ – เฮ้!ยงบก💫 – เฮ้!ยงบก💫

Fans found the “flirty” moment completely relatable, reacting with humor.

HOLD UP is that sabrina carpenter who waved at hyunjin? 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/lWDztANNxz

— 𝑮𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒚 (@hyunjinspouse) September 14, 2023

people saying she was waving at someone else but if she was waving at hyunjin I would totally understand her shy waving because bro is gorgeous af, I mean who does not fall in love with hyunjin https://t.co/M6AtRQRj4t

— angela (@cheonsaskz) September 14, 2023

She's shooting her shot, I can respect that 🫡 https://t.co/29pgSRrE7R

— ✨🔮✨ (@chocolatsirk) September 14, 2023

However, there appears to be another possible explanation for this moment.

Sabrina Carpenter is known to be friends with TikTok star Dixie D’Amelio, one of the presenters for the “Best K-Pop” award.

Dixie D’Amelio (left) and Sabrina Carpenter (right). | *@sabrinacarpenter/Instagram*

Dixie D’Amelio was still on stage as Stray Kids gave their speech, and a full video shows Dixie in Sabrina’s line of eyesight when the glances and wave happened. Dixie also appears to wave at Sabrina during the speech.

| MTV

While it is unclear who Sabrina was interacting with, there’s no denying she and Hyunjin would be a visual couple! Check out more VMAs interactions below!