Charli XCX’s latest tracks have sparked speculation among fans, suggesting a potential rift between her and Taylor Swift. As the lyrics hint at underlying tensions, many are eager to uncover what exactly happened between these two pop stars.
Here are more details about the supposed feud between Taylor Swift and Charli XCX.
What happened between Taylor Swift and Charli XCX?
In the third track, ‘Sympathy Is a Knife,’ from Charli XCX’s latest album Brat, the singer delves into feelings of anxiety and self-doubt, particularly about another woman who seemed to capture the attention of those around her.
Specifically, the lyrics, “I couldn’t even be her if I tried,” and “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up quick,” have led fans to speculate that the song may be about Taylor Swift. The latter was reportedly dating The 1975’s lead singer Matty Healy around the time Charli XCX wrote the song.
Moreover, the song seems to hint at Charli XCX’s discomfort with Swift’s presence. This is especially since her fiancé, George Daniel, is the drummer for The 1975. Despite the speculation, Charli has been clear that the song is more about her internal struggles than any specific person.
The ‘I Love It’ singer said in a recent interview, “People are gonna think what they want to think. That song is about me and my feelings and my anxiety and the way my brain creates narratives and stories in my head when I feel insecure and how I don’t want to be in those situations physically when I feel self-doubt.” (via Vulture) Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has only had kind words for the British singer, praising her creative and inventive songwriting.
According to Variety, Swift said, “Her writing is surreal and inventive, always. She just takes a song to places you wouldn’t expect it to go, and she’s been doing it consistently for over a decade. I love to see hard work like that pay off.” The relationship between Charli and Swift has been a topic of conversation since they toured together during Swift’s 2018 Reputation stadium tour.
Reflecting on the tour a year later, Charli XCX said, “felt like I was getting up on stage and waving to 5-year-olds.” Her comments sparked some controversy, leading her to issue an apology. The singer clarified that she didn’t mean to disrespect Swift or her fans.
