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The priest in New York City who authorized Sabrina Carpenter to shoot her music video for “Feather” inside his church has been relieved of his responsibilities.
At Brooklyn’s Blessed Virgin Mary Church, Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello was stripped of “any pastoral oversight or governance role” on Monday. This most recent incident occurs a year after Gigantiello was penalized for permitting the filming of the controversial video, which led to an investigation in which church authorities found additional proof of poor management.
Gigantiello made illegal cash transfers to a former top staffer in Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, which is currently under investigation for corruption, according to the Associated Press.
“I am saddened to share that investigations conducted by Alvarez & Marsal and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP have uncovered evidence of serious violations of Diocesan policies and protocols at Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Annunciation Parish,” Bishop Robert Brennan said in a statement to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn. I have designated Bishop Witold Mroziewski as the parish administrator in order to preserve church funds and the public trust.
The probe began last October when Carpenter’s hit tune, “Feather,” from her album Emails I Can’t Send, had a risqué and gory music video published. Carpenter sings of feeling “light as a feather” after seeing and planning the deaths of multiple men who harassed and catcalled her in the video, which culminates with scenes shot inside the Brooklyn church.
By the end of the film, the Disney Channel alum is dancing around the pews and altar of the church while wearing a skimpy black tulle dress. Pastel coffins of the men who have died are all around her.
Brennan’s “appalled” attitude to the footage quickly sparked controversy. According to a statement from the Diocese of Brooklyn, “the parish did not follow diocesan policy regarding the filming on Church property, which includes a review of the scenes and script.” He also stated that he “is taking this matter seriously and will be looking into it further.”
Later, Carpenter responded to the controversy by claiming that she had prior consent and joking that “Jesus was a carpenter.” When she performed at Coachella in 2024, she even donned an oversized t-shirt with the same quote.
In a prior letter to parishioners, Monsignor Gigantiello expressed regret for the lapse and stated that he and his staff were unaware of the “provocative” nature of the video. He also stated that he thought the majority of the video would be shot outside the church.
