A Taylor Swift album wouldn't be complete without a song about her critics, and “A Dancer's Life” doesn't disappoint.
Swift's 12th studio album, released earlier this month, contains tongue-in-cheek “Actually a romantic” which tells the story of a broken relationship between two songwriters.
The main character, Swift, begins by admitting that she knows that someone behind her back is contemptuously calling her “boring Barbie.” The song's chorus then accuses this man of spending so much time thinking about her that it's “actually romantic.”
Many Swifties believe that “Actually Romantic” is dedicated to British singer Charli XCX, Swift's former support act, whose 2024 song “Sympathy Is a Knife” is widely believed to be about Swift.
The two women began becoming friends more than a decade ago with Swift, now 35, and notably invited Charli XCX, 33, to join her on her Reputation Stadium tour.
What are the current dynamics between the two chart-topping singer-songwriters? Here's a look at Taylor Swift and Charli XCX's friendship.
December 2014: Taylor Swift and Charli XCX are photographed together.
Swift and Charli XCX looked like bosom buddies when they were came together backstage at the iHeart Radio Jingle Ball concert at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2014 in New York City.
In those days, Swift was already dominating the pop charts, and Charli XCX was up-and-coming with “Boom Clap,” her first solo top 10 hit in the US.
February 2015: Charli XCX performed a cover of Swift's hit “Shake it Off” on BBC Radio.
Charli XCX appeared to pay tribute to Swift when she performed a cover of her hit “Shake it Off” during a live performance on Live Lounge BBC Radio 1.
October 2015: Swift invites Charli XCX on stage to sing “Boom Clap.”
Swift invited Charli XCX to join her on stage to sing the British singer's hit “Boom Clap” during “1989.” World Tour” in Toronto, Canada.
2018: Charli XCX opened for Swift on her Reputation tour
Fast chose Charli XCX and Camila Cabello to open for her 2018 Reputation Stadium Tour. The two singers often joined Swift during her keynote performance to perform “Shake it Off.”
August 2019: Charli XCX says performing on Swift's tour was like 'waving to five-year-olds'
The following year, Charli XCX was furious after she revealed Pitchfork that performing in front of Swift's fans on tour was like performing for children.
“I'm very grateful that (Swift) invited me on this tour,” she said. “But as an artist, I felt like I was getting up on stage and waving to five-year-olds.”
On the day the article was published, Charli XCX said: by X that her comments in the article were taken “out of context.”
“I want to make it clear that there is absolutely no shade and only love,” she said, adding that she is “extremely grateful” to Swift for inviting her on tour.
2023: Swift and Charli XCX are both (supposedly) dating members of The 1975 at the same time
In 2023 Swift allegedly dated Matty Healythe scandalous frontman of the rock band The 1975. At the same time, Charlie XCX was dating the band's drummer George Daniel. who did she marry in July 2025.
June 2024: Fans think Charli XCX's “Sympathy Is a Knife” is about Swift
Many fans believed that “Sympathy Is a Knife”, the third track on Charli XCX's album, Hit album of 2024 “Brother”. contains lyrics about Swift.
In the song, Charli XCX addresses a woman who is causing her protagonist to struggle with anxiety.
“This girl touches my insecurities. I don’t know if it’s true or if I’m spiraling,” she sings, adding, “I couldn’t even be her if I tried.”
She also sings “George”, apparently referring to her then-fiancé and The 1975 band memberGeorge Danieltells her that she is “paranoid” about the situation.
Later in the track, Charli XCX makes it clear that she doesn't want another woman around her.
“I don’t want to see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show. Crossed my fingers behind my back, hope they part soon,” she sings.
June 2024: Charli XCX slams fans for hate speech towards Swift
Charlie XCX criticized fans for repeating hateful chants against Swift during the “Brat” album release party in Sao Paulo, Brazil in June 2024.
After X-user tagged the singer next to a video of her fans chanting “Taylor Morreu,” which the user said translates to “Taylor is dead,” Charli responded to XCX, condemning their behavior in her own post.
“Can people doing this please stop online or at my concerts,” she wrote on a screenshot of the footage.
“It's the opposite of what I want, and it bothers me that anyone would think there's room for that in this community. I won't tolerate it,” she added.
August 2024: Charli XCX denies 'Empathy is a knife' line refers to Swift
Charlie XCX objected to the idea that “Sympathy Is a Knife” is about Swift. during a magazine cover interview New York Magazine.
“People will think what they want,” she said. “This song is about me, my feelings, my anxiety and how my brain creates stories and stories in my head when I feel insecure and how I don’t want to physically be in those situations when I feel insecure.”
When an interviewer asked if she thought about leaving out the line about being behind the scenes on “Sympathy Is a Knife,” Charli XCX responded, “No.”
She also refused to go into detail, saying, “You're playing the game of Silence.” But I know this well – when you are silent and want me to talk more. But I don't care if it's awkward. We will sit in silence.”
Swift, who was also contacted for the article, told New York: “I've been amazed by Charli's melodic sensibilities ever since I first heard 'Stay Away' in 2011. Her writing is always surreal and inventive. She just takes the song to places you wouldn't expect it to go, and she's done that consistently for over a decade. I love seeing such hard work pays off.”
October 2025: Swifties think 'true romance' is Charli XCX
Swifties are learning Lyrics of the song “Actually Romantic” The song is believed to be about her alleged feud with Charli XCX.
For starters, the song's title appears to be a play on the British singer's track “Everything Is Romantic” from Brat.
Swift begins by admitting that the song's subject calls her “boring Barbie” behind her back, then adds that “cocaine” must make them feel “brave,” which some fans believe refers to the hit. special vinyl edition with a remix of the song “Brat”, filled with white powder.
Swift continues to sing, “High-five my ex, then tell me you're glad he pursued me/ Wrote me a song saying you're sick of seeing my face/ Some people might get offended/ But it's actually kind of sweet/ All the time you wasted on me.”
In the chorus, Swift jokes that their obsession with her is “really romantic.”
“I really gotta give you credit / No man has ever loved me the way you do,” Swift sings. “I haven’t thought about you in a long time / But you keep sending me funny Valentines.”
Swift discussed the inspiration behind each track in a special “Track by Track” version of “The Life of A Showgirl.”
“Actually Romantic is a song about realizing that someone had a one-sided, hostile relationship with you that you didn’t know about,” she says. “And suddenly they start doing too much and they start letting you know that you were actually living in their head for free and you had no idea.”
So, the narrator of the song decides to accept her as love, affection and attention.
“How flattering is it that someone made you such a big part of their reality without you even thinking about it?” she adds.
