Taylor Swift’s ‘Actually Romantic’ Sparks Charli XCX Feud Rumors

Taylor Swift, the 33‑year‑old pop titan, dropped her twelfth studio album The Life of a Showgirl on Friday, October 3, 2025. The record’s seventh cut, “Actually Romantic,” has fans buzzing that it’s a thinly veiled jab at fellow singer‑songwriter Charli XCX. The drama matters because both artists command massive streaming armies and a simmering “stan war” can tilt chart trajectories.

Why the Track Feels Personal

“Actually Romantic” opens with the line, “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave,” a lyric that mirrors a line from Charli’s 2024 single “Sympathy is a Knife.” In that track, Charli sings, “Don’t want to see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up quick,” a clear nod to Swift’s brief 2023 romance with Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975. By mentioning a “high‑fived my ex,” Swift appears to be pointing directly at Charli’s friendship with Healy.

Background: The 2024 ‘Brat’ Album

Charli XCX’s second‑full‑length effort, Brat, arrived in August 2024 to critical acclaim. “Sympathy is a Knife,” a standout track, explores anxiety and imagined betrayal, with Charli describing an “unnamed woman” who seems to threaten her peace of mind. At the time, Charli clarified in an interview that the song was about her own insecurities, not a specific person. Nonetheless, the lyric about not wanting to see someone “backstage at my boyfriend’s show” sparked speculation, especially given her boyfriend George Daniel, The 1975’s drummer, and his connection to Healy.

Fan Reaction and Social‑Media Firestorm

The new Swift track ignited a flood of memes, Twitter threads, and TikTok breakdowns. One fan wrote, “Taylor wrote a s***** diss track because she missed the point,” while another confessed, “I’m torn—love both Swift and Charli.” A third fan posted a side‑by‑side lyric comparison, highlighting the phrase “Boring Barbie” as the most incriminating clue.

Charli, now 33, responded earlier this year on Instagram, condemning a handful of fans who chanted “Death to Taylor” at a Brazilian show. She posted, “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.” The post quickly went viral, prompting Swift to revisit the topic in a 2023 New York Magazine interview where she praised Charli’s “melodic sensibilities.”

What the Critics Are Saying

Early reviews of The Life of a Showgirl are mixed. Pitchfork gave the album a 6.4, noting the "lush production" but calling the Charli‑referencing lyrics “a bit too on‑the‑nose.” Rolling Stone awarded a 3‑star rating, praising the George Michael sample in the lead single but calling the alleged feud “a publicity stunt that may alienate some fans.”

Industry Perspective: Feuds as Marketing?

Music historian Dr. Lena Ortiz told Billboard that public spats have long boosted streaming numbers. “When artists trade barbs, curiosity spikes. Listeners replay songs to catch hidden messages, which lifts overall platform metrics,” she explained.

Future Outlook: Will the Tension Escalate?

Both camps appear to be walking a tightrope. Charli has scheduled a European leg of her “Brat” tour for early 2026, while Swift will embark on a stadium run‑through of “The Life of a Showgirl” later this year, possibly featuring a surprise guest—rumors suggest it could be Sabrina Carpenter, who appears on the album’s fourth track.

Whether the alleged jab fuels a longer rivalry or fizzles out depends on fan sentiment. If streaming spikes continue, the record labels may encourage more “subtle shots.” If backlash grows, both artists could double‑down on reconciliation, as they have done in the past.

Key Facts

• Album release: October 3, 2025
• Track in question: “Actually Romantic” (track 7)
• Charli’s reference song: “Sympathy is a Knife” (2024)
• Previous collaboration on Swift’s album: Sabrina Carpenter (vocals)
• George Michael sample appears on the lead single “Midnight Echoes”