The Cleanup – 2019
A separate interview with Sunday Brunch saw Charli XCX praising the captain of their ‘girl gang’, Taylor Swift, “She’s an incredible businesswoman and she’s really kind. She makes us feel, like, so welcome. It feels like a girl gang on tour together, it’s really good.”
The Short-Lived Relationship – 2023
Taylor Swift made a special appearance during The 1975’s show at London’s O2 Arena in January 2023 to perform a cover of the band’s track The City. She also debuted Anti-Hero at the concert, believed to be the start of her relationship with Matty Healy. Charli XCX was their guest at a different show at Manchester’s AO Arena.
The front man of the group and Miss Swift hit it off and began dating soon after, albeit it lasted for very few months. The same became the alleged foundation of her feud with the younger star.
The New Fiancée – 2024
Gabbriette Bechtel and Charli XCX shared the screen space as the star and a featured cast for her 360 music video. The model was soon engaged to The 1975 face.
First Diss – 2024
In her famed album BRAT, the song Sympathy Is a Knife, called the attention of plenty as lyrics seemingly alluding their complex dynamic played out. “I couldn’t even be her if I tried” and, “This one girl taps my insecurities, Don’t know if it’s real or if I’m spiraling.”
Another one hinted how they were each dating two different members of The 1975 at one point, Charli XCX and George Daniel- her now husband, while Taylor Swift was into Matty Healy.
Exchanging Compliments – 2024
The British singer was asked by New York Magazine about the alleged arrow pointed at her American counterpart to which she made it out as if it was all in people’s heads. “That song is about me and my feelings and my anxiety and the way my brain creates narratives and stories in my head when I feel insecure and how I don’t want to be in those situations physically when I feel self-doubt.”
In response, Taylor Swift showered praise on her and expressed happiness for her success, “I’ve been blown away by Charli’s melodic sensibilities since I first heard ‘Stay Away’ in 2011.”
The Life of a Showgirl – 2025
Many months later, the 35-year-old dropped her 12th studio album with an alleged hit at their awkward dynamic, which went from fellow tourmates to girlfriends of a group’s bandmates and then just two successful singers who the world is supposedly pitting against each other.
Believed to be a response to Charli XCX’s Everything Is Romantic, Actually Romantic has the lyrics, “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, Wrote a whole song saying it makes you sick to see my face, Some people might be offended, But it’s actually sweet, All the time you’ve spent on me.”
