Imagine your favorite celebrity being playfully 'arrested' on stage by another star—it’s quirky, unexpected, and utterly viral. That’s exactly what happened to Stranger Things heartthrob Joe Keery, who also performs as Djo, when he was hilariously cuffed by Sabrina Carpenter during her Austin City Limits 2025 set on October 4. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this just a lighthearted stage bit, or did it spark something more? Let’s dive in.
Carpenter, known for her infectious energy and clever stage antics, pulled Keery into her ongoing “cuffing season” gag just before performing her hit song Juno. Armed with her signature pink fluffy handcuffs, she asked Keery his name and where he’s from. When he replied, “Boston,” she quipped, “Sounds a lot like Austin,” before dropping the line that set the stage ablaze: “Joe, it’s actually cuffing season. I don’t know if you know that.” Without missing a beat, Keery playfully held out his wrists, prompting Carpenter to laugh, “You seem very eager actually. This is so rare. You’re the one. We did it, Joe.”
And this is the part most people miss: This isn’t the first time Carpenter has ‘arrested’ a celebrity on stage. The playful segment began during her 2024 Short n’ Sweet Tour, with past ‘victims’ including Stranger Things co-star Millie Bobby Brown, The Bear’s Ayo Edebiri, and TWICE members Jihyo, Momo, and Sana. Keery’s willingness to play along only added to the charm, solidifying his status as a good sport—and a viral sensation.
But the surprises didn’t stop there. Carpenter later brought out none other than Shania Twain for a jaw-dropping duet of her 1998 classic That Don’t Impress Me Much, turning her ACL set into one of the weekend’s most talked-about moments. Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: After the show, fans noticed Keery and Carpenter had started following each other on Instagram, instantly igniting dating rumors. One fan tweeted, “Joe Keery and Sabrina Carpenter would make such a cute couple that it makes me physically ill,” while another added, “Imagine going from Barry Keoghan to Joe Keery… let’s make it happen.”
So, was this just a fun stage moment, or the start of something more? Only time will tell. But one thing’s for sure: Sabrina Carpenter knows how to make a moment go viral. Check out the full ACL Fest video below—because yes, we did it, Joe.
Thought-provoking question for you: Do staged celebrity interactions like this feel genuine, or are they just calculated for viral attention? Let us know in the comments!
