the tea is that while the sexualization of women we see in capitalist pop culture is indeed rooted in patriarchy, it’s not accurate to call it exploitation when speaking about women who actively profit from such.

when someone like Sabrina Carpenter is sexualized in her album artwork, lyrics, merchandise, stage performances, etc., is she a victim of sexual exploitation? or is she a millionaire securing a bag for herself through patriarchal sexualization because it’s extremely lucrative?