Taylor Swift addressed the situation involving Charli XCX in her song "Actually Romantic" from her 2025 album The Life of a Showgirl. Taylor described the song as being about realizing someone else had a one-sided, adversarial relationship with her without her awareness. She noted that this person—widely believed to be Charli XCX—had been "living in their head rent- free" with resentment that Taylor took as a form of flirty affection or attention. Taylor explained it as flattering that someone made her such a big part of their reality, even if it was adversarial or resentful. This comes after a complex history between the two artists. Charli XCX supported Taylor on the Reputation Stadium Tour in 2018 but made comments that were interpreted as critical of Taylor's audience, later clarifying no shade was intended. Fans believe Taylor's "Actually Romantic" responds to Charli's 2024 song "Sympathy Is a Knife," which hinted at feelings of insecurity and competition related to Taylor. Taylor has praised Charli's songwriting talents in the past but the recent song and their intertwined public moments have drawn speculation about a feud or tension, though Taylor frames the conflict in "Actually Romantic" as something more nuanced—equal parts resentment and attention.
