Why Fans Believe Taylor Swift’s “Actually Romantic” Shades Charli XCX

Inside the Alleged Musical Clapback That Blends Humor, History, and Pop Star Rivalries

Taylor Swift has never been one to shy away from lyrical shade, and her latest album The Life of a Showgirl may just feature her sharpest — and funniest — diss track yet. Fans are convinced that “Actually Romantic,” a standout on the record, is directed at none other than Charli XCX, with references that tie together years of subtle tension, industry overlap, and ironic twists of fate.

A Complicated History

The two singers first connected when Charli opened for Swift on the Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018. But in 2019, Charli sparked backlash among Swifties after saying the gig “felt like I was getting up on stage and waving to 5-year-olds.” Though she later clarified her remarks, the comment left an imprint.

Adding to the entanglement, Charli is now married to George Daniel, drummer of The 1975 — the band fronted by Matty Healy, Swift’s ex-boyfriend. Charli has often spoken about her close ties to Healy and his fiancée, Gabbriette Bechtel, which only fueled speculation of underlying friction.

Lyrics That Point Fingers

On Charli’s 2024 album Brat, the track “Sympathy Is a Knife” included pointed lyrics about feeling insecure around another singer at her boyfriend’s shows. Fans immediately theorized it was about Swift. Charli dismissed the rumors, saying it reflected her own anxieties rather than shade. Still, the timing and wording drew attention.

Swift’s new song, however, seems to clap back directly. “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave / High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me,” she sings, a line many interpret as referencing both Charli’s party-centric lyrics and Swift’s short-lived relationship with Healy. Another biting lyric appears to flip Charli’s narrative: “Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face.”

Between Humor and Shade

Unlike past Swift diss tracks, “Actually Romantic” leans into irony. The chorus is a tongue-in-cheek declaration of affection for the supposed subject’s obsession:

“Some people might be offended / But it’s actually sweet / All the time you’ve spent on me.”

The track’s dark humor even borders on flirtatious mockery, with Swift quipping: “You think I’m tacky, baby / Stop talking dirty to me!” The result is a playful but barbed song that manages to be both cutting and self-aware.

Where They Stand Now

Publicly, both singers have downplayed any feud. Charli has praised Swift’s songwriting as “surreal and inventive,” while Swift has yet to address fan theories. But pop culture thrives on speculation — and with references this sharp, it’s no wonder “Actually Romantic” has become the album’s most dissected track.

As always, Swift leaves just enough mystery to keep fans guessing, blurring the line between personal diary and pop spectacle. Whether intentional shade or not, the song proves one thing: when it comes to lyrical sparring, Taylor Swift remains unmatched.