Taylor Swift seemingly hits back at Charli XCX with scathing lyrics in her new song “Actually Romantic.” The two pop stars have been at the center of feud rumors—read the full story here.
Taylor Swift has sparked speculation of a brewing feud with Charli XCX following the release of her new track “Actually Romantic” from her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl. The song has many fans wondering if Swift is clapping back at Charli after tensions between the two pop stars seemed to rise earlier this year.
The Backstory: Charli XCX’s “Sympathy is a Knife”
To understand the context of Taylor’s new lyrics, let’s take a step back. Last June, Charli XCX released her song “Sympathy is a Knife” from her sixth studio album, Brat. While it wasn’t explicitly a diss track, many fans believed it reflected Charli’s feelings of insecurity around Taylor’s overwhelming success. The track hinted at a strained dynamic, with Charli referencing her discomfort in relation to Taylor, who has long been a global music icon.
The song’s lyrics, “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show/ Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up,” led many to believe that Charli was addressing Taylor. This line, in particular, appeared to be a subtle dig at Taylor, as both women had crossed paths with the same men—George Daniel (Charli’s now-husband and drummer for The 1975) and Matty Healy (The 1975’s frontman, who had a brief romance with Taylor).
Taylor Swift’s Sharp Response in “Actually Romantic”
Fast forward to the release of “Actually Romantic”, the seventh track on Taylor Swift’s new album. The song quickly caught attention for its scathing lyrics that many fans believe are aimed directly at Charli XCX. The opening line—“I heard you called me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave”—is a pointed jab at Charli, referencing the viral moment when Charli released a special edition of her album Brat, containing white powder in the vinyl. Charli has also gained attention for her on-stage antics, including sniffing during DJ sets, which fans have linked to Taylor’s lyrics.
Taylor’s response doesn’t stop there. She continues, “High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me,” which many fans speculate refers to Matty Healy, a central figure in Taylor’s previous album The Tortured Poets Department. Later, Taylor adds, “How many times has your boyfriend said/ ‘Why are we always talking ’bout her?'”—another apparent jab at Charli.
A Sarcastic Chorus That Hits Hard
The chorus of “Actually Romantic” takes a more sarcastic tone, with Taylor singing:
“It’s actually sweet/ All the time you’ve spent on me/ It’s honestly wild/ All the effort you’ve put in/ It’s actually romantic/ I really gotta hand it to you, ooh/ No man has ever loved me like you do.”
Although Taylor’s fiancé, Travis Kelce, may have a thing or two to say about the line, it’s a slick and sharp response to Charli’s subtle remarks.
The Reality Behind the Feud Rumors
Despite the rumors of a feud, Taylor and Charli have remained civil in real life. Both women attended the Grammy Awards this year, where Taylor was seen dancing and enjoying herself while Charli performed her hit track “Guess”. However, Swifties speculate that Taylor may have already written “Actually Romantic” by then, fueling the belief that the song addresses Charli directly.
Furthermore, Charli has publicly spoken out against toxic fan behavior. During a performance in Brazil last year, after a fan shouted, “Taylor Swift is dead,” Charli took to the mic to call out the hate. “Can the people who do this please stop. Online or at my shows. It disturbs me that anyone would think there is room for this in this community. I will not tolerate it,” Charli asserted, further distancing herself from negativity.
No ‘Bad Blood’ After All?
Despite the sharp lyrics and speculation about a feud, it seems there may be no “Bad Blood” between Taylor and Charli after all. The two pop stars have maintained a public stance of civility, and perhaps the drama is all just part of the ongoing media frenzy that follows these high-profile stars.
