A glimpse into Taylor Swift and Charli xcx’s feud : Will they work it out on the remix?

 Amir Kattach

“I heard you call me “Boring Barbie" when the coke's got you brave.” 
- Taylor Swift: Actually Romantic - The Life Of A Showgirl 

“This one girl taps my insecurities, don't know if it's real or if I'm spiraling.” 
- Charli xcx: Sympathy is a knife - brat 

“Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face.” 

- Taylor Swift: Actually Romantic - The Life Of A Showgirl 

“Don't wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend's show.” 

- Charli xcx: Sympathy is a knife - brat 

Taylor Swift released her 12th studio album on the 3rd of October, 2025, titled “The Life Of A Showgirl”. Receiving varying reviews and opinions by fans and critics alike, “The Life Of A Show Girl” stands out as an album with pop and soft-rock influences. As her most controversial album yet, Taylor Swift has received positive reviews for some tracks, such as “The Fate Of Ophelia” with its bubble-gum pop feel and hints of inspiration from her beloved 2014 album, “1989”. However, Swift has taken a different turn with the themes of her music, with some more bold songs. For instance the track “Wood” that is clearly dedicated to Travis Kelce with more sultry undertones. In stark contrast to the clear affection through her music, Swift has also chosen to include a more shady song, “Actually Romantic”. A song which left listeners shocked; and no, it was not for the same reasons as those for “Wood”. Shortly after the release of “Actually Romantic”, fans began to speculate about who the lyrics were directed at. Evidence points towards it being about Charli xcx, hyperpop artist best known for her 2024 mega hit album “brat”. But, why Charli xcx? What happened between them? 

Let us dissect the nuances of “Actually Romantic”, and the evidence that points towards it being about Charli xcx. Firstly, the name of the track and the placement in Taylor’s album is of significance. In “The Life Of A Showgirl”, “Actually Romantic” is track 7, which  is very similar to Charli xcx’s “brat”, where track 7 is “Everything is romantic”. From the title alone, this already appears to be a jab at Charli. Prior to the release of “The Life of A Showgirl”, Taylor Swift announced her engagement with football player Travis Kelce, which is particularly of interest since in “Actually Romantic”, Taylor says: 

“No man has ever loved me like you do.” 

Implying that despite Taylor’s engagement, Charli is still “obsessed” over her. This indicates possible tension between the two artists behind the scene, prompting Taylor to release “Actually Romantic”. Charli’s “Everything is romantic” tackles the themes of settling down, finding love and living a laid back life after being in the spotlight after a long busy career. Taylor’s “Actually Romantic” implies two things; firstly, the direct meaning - her addressing Charli and talking about how she is flattered that Charli chooses to talk about her behind her back. The second meaning of “Actually Romantic” appears to be a jab at Charli xcx and her husband George Daniel, drummer of band “The 1975”, with Taylor referring to how her relationship with Travis Kelce is, well, “Actually Romantic”, as opposed to the one between Charli and George. 

The move by Taylor to start her song off with the line, “I heard you call me “Boring Barbie" when the coke's got you brave.”, also stirred controversy amongst fans of Taylor and Charli. The connotation between Charli and “coke” comes from the mentions of substance usage in lyrics of her music, as well as the release of a Vinyl variant for her album “brat” featuring a transparent disk filled with white powder, resembling what Taylor was talking about. However, Taylor and Charli were not always rivals. In 2015, Charli xcx was a guest act for Taylor Swift’s 1989 world tour, and was also featured as a guest act for the Reputation tour. In 2019 Charli commented on her experience performing with Taylor, stating the following:

“I’m really grateful that (Swift) asked me on that tour,” she said. “But as an artist, it kind of felt like I was getting up on stage and waving to 5-year-olds.” 

This statement appears to be what began the tension between the two, as since then the two have not been involved with each other - or at least that was the case up until the release of “brat” and “Sympathy is a knife”. On the track, Charli xcx reflects on herself and her feelings towards other artists, admitting to being jealous of other artists. The song was rumored to be about Taylor Swift, but this was never confirmed. Lyrics such as: 

“Don't wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend's show.” 

Contributed to the rumours. The fans made the connection that Charli was dating her now husband, George Daniel,the drummer for The 1975, simultaneously as Taylor Swift was dating the band’s singer Matty Healy for a brief period in 2023. Hence, the two pop artists were dating members of The 1975 at the same time - meaning that Charli may not have wanted to see Swift at “her boyfriend’s” show- aka Georgie Daniel. Hopefully, the tension between the two artists won’t be forever. Lorde and Charli had some long-lasting tension, but were able to “work it out on the remix” on Charli’s remix album “Brat and It's Completely Different but Also Still Brat” through an emotional collaboration on the track “Girl, so confusing”. 

Could Taylor Swift and Charli xcx do the same and settle their differences on a remix in the near future, or will the two popstars continue their rivalry? Only time will tell.