what did charli xcx say about taylor swift

Charli XCX has spoken about Taylor Swift in a way that sparked some controversy but also clarified her admiration for Taylor. In a past interview, Charli referred to performing for Taylor's Reputation tour crowds as "getting up on stage and waving to 5-year-olds," which was criticized by Taylor's fans. Charli later clarified that she meant the difference in atmosphere between performing in adult club settings and family-friendly shows, and expressed deep gratitude and respect for Taylor, calling the Reputation tour "one of the biggest in history" and saying there was "no shade and only love" toward Taylor. Recently, Taylor Swift released a song called "Actually Romantic" on her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl , which fans widely interpret as a pointed response to Charli XCX's 2024 song "Sympathy Is a Knife." Taylor’s lyrics seem to address a songwriter who called her "Boring Barbie," high-fived her ex, and wrote a song that made Taylor feel sick to see the songwriter's face. This is seen as referencing Charli, especially as the song came after some complex interactions including relationships linked through mutual acquaintances. Charli has addressed rumors about her songs relating to Taylor by stating her songs mainly reflect her own personal feelings and anxieties, rather than targeting Taylor specifically. She also publicly condemned fans who chanted against Taylor at her shows, saying such behavior is "the opposite of what I am" and that there is no room for such negativity in her community. In summary, Charli acknowledges Taylor as a major artist who gave her big opportunities, but their relationship appears complicated with some tension hinted at in their recent music and public comments. Both artists have shown mixed signals ranging from admiration to subtle critique, but no outright feud has been confirmed by either side.