In the pop universe, few things spark more fan frenzy than a rumored feud — especially when it involves two artists with cult-like followings and reputations for crafting razor-sharp lyrics. Over the years, Taylor Swift and Charli XCX have gone from public praise to alleged diss tracks, and while neither has confirmed any bad blood, the speculation has only intensified.
Charli Opening for Swift During The 2018 Reputation Tour
Their relationship began on friendly footing. The two were first photographed together backstage at the 2014 Jingle Ball, and in 2015, Charli joined Swift on stage during the 1989 World Tour. Then in 2018, Swift personally invited Charli (alongside Camila Cabello) to open for her on the massive Reputation Stadium Tour, a gig that positioned Charli in front of a broader, younger audience.
Charli Performing for The Crowd Felt Like “waving to 5-year-olds”
At the time, Charli was enthusiastic, calling Swift “very kind” and expressing hopes of collaborating. But things got awkward the following year when Charli told Pitchfork that the experience of performing in front of Swift’s fanbase felt like “waving to 5-year-olds.”
After a wave of backlash, she clarified the comments, insisting she meant no disrespect. “I talked about how it was brilliant opening for Taylor, I am extremely grateful for the opportunity,” she posted on social media. Still, the moment marked a shift — and fans took note.
Charli’s Relationship with George, The 1975, Matty Healy and “Sympathy is a Knife”
In the years since, a narrative has developed, largely fan-driven, suggesting that the two artists may have indirectly addressed each other in song. When Charli released her critically acclaimed Brat album in 2024, many fans zeroed in on the track “Sympathy is a Knife.” Fans interpreted lines such as “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back / I hope they break up quick” as possible references to Swift’s past with Healy or to someone perceived as encroaching. Charli was dating The 1975 drummer George Daniel, was briefly linked to the band’s frontman Matty Healy.
Charli denied any direct targeting, telling Vulture the track was inspired by internal narratives during moments of self-doubt. “People are gonna think what they want to think,” she said, leaving the door open just enough for the theories to continue.
Despite the tension fans perceive, both artists have continued to speak positively about each other’s talents. Swift has praised Charli’s “melodic sensibilities” and said she’s been “blown away” by her creativity for over a decade. Charli, while never directly naming Swift as the subject of her lyrics, has distanced herself from any fan-fueled drama.
Charli, however, addressed the speculation in interviews, saying the song was about her internal anxieties and how her mind “creates narratives and stories” when she feels insecure. She did not explicitly deny that Swift was an influence but suggested that public interpretation often veers away from an artist’s intention.
Later, Charli released a remix featuring Ariana Grande, expanding the song’s themes to include broader public scrutiny, media misrepresentation, and feelings of betrayal. In public commentary she noted how words are often taken out of context, and how larger artists have to endure constant deconstruction of their statements.
Fans Chanting ‘Taylor’s Dead’ at a Charli Concert
That didn’t stop controversy when fans began chanting “Taylor is dead” at Charli’s 2024 concerts — a disturbing turn that Charli swiftly condemned. “Can the people who do this please stop,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s the opposite of what I want, and it disturbs me that anyone would think there is room for this in this community.”
Adding another layer to the intrigue, both women found themselves romantically connected to members of The 1975. Charli ultimately married George Daniel in a private ceremony in July 2025, while Swift’s brief relationship with Healy ended in early 2024.
Whether the supposed tension is real or a product of fan fiction, both artists have continued to thrive in their respective lanes. Charli’s Brat album and its deluxe editions have solidified her as one of pop’s most daring creatives, while Swift’s ever-evolving discography and record-shattering tours keep her at the center of global pop culture.
If anything, the supposed rivalry reflects how invested fans are in decoding the inner lives of pop icons — especially two women who know how to turn personal experience into poetic, powerful pop.
And in a genre built on storytelling, maybe it’s no surprise that sometimes, the lines between fiction, fan theory, and reality get a little blurry.
“Actually Romantic” — Swift’s Apparent Reply?
When Taylor Swift dropped her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl, fans immediately zeroed in on the track “Actually Romantic.” Many believed the song answered or responded to the lyrics in “Sympathy Is a Knife.” In Actually Romantic, Swift references someone calling her “Boring Barbie,” “High-fived my ex,” and writing a song about her. One line frames attention and disdain as ironic affection.
In a “track-by-track” breakdown of the album, Swift explained the song’s concept without naming names. “It’s about realizing that someone has had a one-sided adversarial relationship with you — and you didn’t even know,” she said. “You’re living in their head rent-free.”
Swift later explained the song concept as noticing someone had lived in her head “rent-free” and had shaped a one-sided adversarial relationship she hadn’t recognized. She called attention a form of obsession masked as resentment.
While Swift has never named Charli in relation to “Actually Romantic,” the timing, lyrical connections, and shared personal networks gave rise to speculation among fans and media outlets alike.m for complexity, speculation, and creative intention.
