Charli XCX Responds to Taylor Swift Diss and Feud Speculations

Charli XCX made a subtle nod to Taylor Swift when asked about their rumored rivalry, which became more public with Swift’s release of the diss track “Actually Romantic” from her album The Life of a Showgirl.

When approached by Vanity Fair to comment on the song, Charli chose not to address the feud directly. The lyrics of “Actually Romantic” are believed to reference Charli’s own song, “Everything is Romantic,” with Swift singing lines like “Wrote me a song sayin’ it makes you sick to see my face.”

Charli XCX in red — Charli XCX declined to comment on Taylor Swift’s diss track, “Actually Romantic.”

Fans also detected a lyrical jab from Swift, who sings, “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave,” which many interpret as a reference to Charli’s alleged drug use.

Swift explained in an Amazon Music intro that “Actually Romantic” reflects a “one-sided, adversarial relationship,” describing it as a “love letter to someone who hates you” in her visual project, The Life of a Showgirl.

Further fueling the tension, Charli performed on Saturday Night Live wearing a cropped T-shirt with the name “Max’s Kansas City,” a famed NYC nightclub. Given Swift’s fiancé Travis Kelce plays for the Kansas City Chiefs, many saw this as a subtle response to the song and the ongoing beef.

Taylor Swift on stage — Swift’s performance, seen here, added more fuel to the speculation of a feud.

In her interview, Charli also seemingly threw shade at Swift’s announcement of a six-episode documentary on her Eras Tour, mentioning she felt the market was already saturated with tour documentaries. She expressed her view that many such projects tend to depict artists overcoming opposition, which she finds unrelatable.

Charli XCX in a white dress — Charli plans to star in a mockumentary in 2026, offering a fictional yet authentic depiction of the music industry.

She revealed her upcoming project—a mockumentary titled The Moment, set in 2026—which portrays the lead-up to a pop star’s first major concert. Distancing it from a traditional tour film, Charli describes it as a truthful yet fictional critique of the music scene, crafted from pressures she’s experienced.

Charli added, “It’s the realest depiction of the music industry I’ve ever seen,” emphasizing her creative approach to industry commentary.