British pop star Charli XCX has remained tight-lipped amid fan speculation that Taylor Swift’s latest song, “Actually Romantic”, from her album The Life of a Showgirl, might be about the former collaborator.
Charli XCX Dodges Questions About Taylor Swift
In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Charli, 33, declined to comment on whether Swift’s track is directed at her. The song, released on October 3, 2025, has sparked fan theories due to potential lyrical references connecting to Charli’s own music.
Fans have interpreted Swift’s lyrics as a possible response to Charli’s 2024 song “Sympathy Is a Knife”, which contains lines hinting at jealousy or insecurity:
“Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back / I hope they break up quick.”
Despite the speculation, Charli told Vulture in August 2024 that “Sympathy Is a Knife” was inspired by her own self-doubt and narrative-making process, stating:
“People are gonna think what they want to think.”
Surprise SNL Appearance Fuels Speculation
Charli added to the buzz during a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live on October 11, walking in as “Sally” during Role Model’s performance of “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out”. Her outfit—a Max’s Kansas City T-shirt and black skirt—prompted fans to speculate about a possible nod to Swift, who is engaged to Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
However, some believe the shirt was a tribute to Role Model, who also wore it in SNL promo videos. The ambiguity left fans debating whether Charli’s appearance was a subtle response to Swift or purely coincidental.
Taylor Swift’s Perspective on “Actually Romantic”
Taylor Swift has addressed the meaning of “Actually Romantic” without naming Charli directly. In an Amazon Music chat, Swift explained:
“It’s about realizing that someone else has kind of had a one-sided, adversarial relationship with you that you didn’t know about… They start letting you know that actually, you’ve been living in their head rent-free and you had no idea.”
Swift described the song’s tone as flattering rather than hostile, emphasizing that being the focus of someone else’s intense attention is “actually pretty romantic” when considered from a different perspective.
Charli XCX and Taylor Swift: History of Collaboration and Rumors
Charli and Swift have a long-standing history of collaboration and public admiration, dating back to Taylor’s 1989 World Tour in 2015, where Charli performed alongside Swift. Over the years, fans have scrutinized lyrics, social media posts, and public appearances for hints of tension or playful rivalry, further fueling speculation whenever new music is released by either artist.
Conclusion
While Charli XCX refuses to comment on whether “Actually Romantic” targets her, fan speculation shows no signs of slowing down. Taylor Swift’s explanation suggests the track reflects a complex dynamic of admiration, attention, and perceived rivalry, leaving listeners to interpret the meaning for themselves.
The ongoing discussion highlights the intersection of celebrity collaborations, music fan theories, and social media speculation in today’s pop culture landscape.
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