In a world where celebrity schedules clash like bad traffic, one pop sensation proved that true bonds bend time itself. Amid the glittering chaos of her sold-out Short n’ Sweet Tour – think four electrifying nights at Madison Square Garden that had fans screaming lyrics like battle cries – Sabrina Carpenter, 26, pulled off the ultimate friend move. She ditched the spotlight (and apparently her red carpet heels) to slide into the NYC premiere of I Wish You All the Best on October 27, right beside her longtime Disney soulmate, Corey Fogelmanis. No poses for the paps, no viral thirst traps – just pure, unfiltered support for the guy who’s been by her side since awkward teen auditions. If this doesn’t restore your faith in Hollywood’s hidden heart, what will?

Let’s rewind to where it all began: the neon-lit hallways of Girl Meets World. From 2014 to 2017, Sabrina lit up screens as the sassy, blue-haired Maya Hart, while Corey charmed as the brainy, endlessly optimistic Farkle Minkus in the beloved spinoff of the ’90s classic Boy Meets World. Their on-screen banter was gold – think Maya rolling her eyes at Farkle’s over-the-top smarts while secretly rooting for him. Off-screen? It was the real deal. These two weren’t just co-stars; they were the kind of friends who survive fame’s meat grinder. Fast-forward a decade, and Sabrina’s ruling charts with bops like “Espresso” and “Please Please Please,” racking up Grammy nods and tour dates that could fill a small country. Corey’s been grinding too, trading Disney whimsy for edgier roles in thrillers like Ma opposite Octavia Spencer and now this deeply personal lead in I Wish You All the Best. But amid her whirlwind – complete with onstage antics like “arresting” Anne Hathaway in a cheeky nod to her tour’s playful chaos – Sabrina carved out time to show up. Because that’s what ride-or-dies do.

The premiere at New York City’s IPIC Theater pulsed with indie film energy, a far cry from the blockbuster bashes Sabrina’s used to. Directed by Tommy Dorfman (13 Reasons Why‘s magnetic Jesse, making his feature debut behind the camera), the film adapts Mason Deaver’s 2019 YA bestseller – a raw, unflinching look at nonbinary teen Ben DeBacker, played with heartbreaking nuance by Corey. Kicked out by unsupportive parents after coming out, Ben crash-lands with their estranged sister (Alexandra Daddario, all fierce empathy) and her husband (Cole Sprouse, channeling quiet intensity). It’s a story of rebuilding from rejection: awkward high school navigations, tentative first loves, and the slow bloom of self-acceptance. Corey’s Ben isn’t a saint or a victim; he’s messy, resilient, and achingly real – a role he dove into with the kind of vulnerability that could redefine his career. “I hope people walk away inspired to be there for someone in their life,” Corey shared at the event, his voice steady but eyes misty. “That’s the only reason Ben makes it.” In a sea of rom-com fluff, this is the kind of narrative that sticks – timely, tender, and unapologetically queer.

Sabrina? She bypassed the velvet ropes entirely, slipping in through a side door like a pro avoiding her own fan mob. Dressed down in a cozy knit and jeans – worlds away from her tour’s bedazzled mini-dresses – she plopped right next to Corey for the screening. Witnesses (and sneaky fan cams) caught them whispering and giggling through the credits, a throwback to set days when they’d prank Rowan Blanchard between takes. Post-film, she vanished into the night with a hat pulled low and shades on, dodging the afterparty glow to jet back to tour prep. No Instagram Stories, no TikTok teases – just a quiet “I’m here” that spoke volumes. Fans, of course, melted. “Sabrina skipping the carpet to just be there? Iconic friendship goals,” one X user gushed, while another posted a grainy pic with the caption, “Disney kids growing up right.” Their June TikTok duet to her track “Manchild” already had Swifties and stans shipping a platonic power duo; this? It’s the sequel we didn’t know we needed.

What makes this moment hit different? In an industry notorious for ghosting old pals once the paychecks balloon, Sabrina’s gesture is a mic drop on loyalty. Corey’s been vocal about her glow-up: “I’m just so proud of her… I’ll be at every show until the day I die. ‘Fast Times’ forever,” he told outlets at the premiere, referencing her tour anthem with a grin that screamed inside jokes. And let’s not forget the star-studded backup: Lena Dunham brought her signature wit, Amy Landecker added mom-boss vibes, Lexi Underwood and Lisa Yamada repped fresh faces, and Miles Gutierrez-Riley rounded out the ensemble with easy charisma. David Burtka and Richard Schiff popped in for that Broadway polish, turning the night into a who’s-who of heartfelt Hollywood. SXSW audiences raved about the film’s emotional gut-punch earlier this year; now, with a November 7 theatrical drop, it’s poised to spark conversations in living rooms and classrooms alike.

For Corey, 26 and Latvian-rooted (fun fact: Fogelmanis means “bird catcher” in his heritage tongue), this is a leap from kid-lit charm to adult authenticity. Post-Girl Meets World, he tackled horror in Carved for Hulu and suspense in One Stupid Thing, but Ben feels personal – a mirror to the fluidity of identity he’s championed off-screen. Sabrina’s presence? It’s the cherry on top, a reminder that the girl who once belted “Take on the World” still lives for her people. As her tour barrels toward Europe – with sold-out arenas from London to Lisbon – expect more of these quiet wins. Because while the world chases her spotlight, she’s chasing the connections that keep her grounded.

I Wish You All the Best isn’t just a movie; it’s a movement – and Sabrina’s stealthy cheerleading proves the best stories start with friends who show up, no script required. Catch it in theaters November 7, then stream when it hits (fingers crossed for a quick digital drop). Who knows? Maybe it’ll inspire your own low-key loyalty play. In the meantime, crank “Espresso” and raise a glass to the Disney duo who’s still meeting the world – together.