Is Taylor Swift’s “Actually Romantic” a Shade at Charli XCX? The Meaning Behind the Lyrics

Taylor Swift is famous for weaving secrets, references, and shade into her songs. Her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl, brings one of her boldest hints yet: the track “Actually Romantic.” From the fans’ perspective, it seems to call out Charli XCX her past connections, public statements, and shared history all point in that direction.

In this post, we’ll break down their history, what Charli said before, the lyrics in Actually Romantic, and whether it really is a diss track. Let’s go step by step.

Taylor & Charli: A History of Good Vibes + Tension

Taylor and Charli’s relationship goes back years. They shared stages and public praise, but also moments that raised eyebrows.

• In 2018, Charli XCX opened for Taylor’s Reputation Stadium Tour.

• Later, in 2019, Charli said performing on that tour “kind of felt like I was getting up onstage and waving to 5-year-olds.” That comment stirred backlash from Swift fans. She later clarified she didn’t mean disrespect.

• More recently, in 2024, Charli dropped her album Brat, which includes the track “Sympathy Is a Knife.” Some fans believed parts of that song took jabs at Taylor lines like “This one girl taps my insecurities / Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show” got attention.

• But Charli defended her work, saying Sympathy Is a Knife wasn’t about a feu, rather, it was her own feelings, insecurities, and mental wordplay.

• On Taylor’s side, she has publicly praised Charli’s songwriting and talent in interviews, even amid the rumors.

So their history is mixed: friendship and collaborations, but also remarks, speculation, and fan theories.

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“Actually Romantic” Lyrics: What Seems to Be Said

The way Actually Romantic is written, many fans believe it answers Sympathy Is a Knife. Here are the parts that raise eyebrows:

• “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” hints at someone insulting Taylor undethe r influence, and interactions with a past partner.

• “Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face.” This sounds like a counter to someone who wrote about her first.

• In the second verse: “How many times has your boyfriend said, ‘Why are we always talking about her?’” could refer to conversations in real life or in song.

• The chorus is sarcastic: “All the time you’ve spent on me … It’s actually romantic … No man has ever loved me like you do.” It flips attention and insults into something like twisted praise.

The song uses a tone that isn’t purely angry; it’s witty, biting, a little playful, and loaded with layers.

Why Fans Think It’s About Charli XCX

Here’s why many listeners point to Charli as the subject:

1. Title Echo
   Charli’s Brat includes a song called “Everything Is Romantic.” The similarity to Actually Romantic is likely not a coincidence.

2. Past Lines & References
   Sympathy Is a Knife mentions backstage, insecurity, and a “girl” affecting the singer’s confidence. Actually, Romantic references similar themes (someone attacking Taylor, calling her names).

3. Personal Connections
   Charli is married to George Daniel, drummer of The 1975. Taylor briefly dated the band’s frontman,n Matty Healy, in 2023. So the social circles overlap.
   Because of that, when Charli sings about “George” or mentions backstage shows, fans see possible links to Taylor’s past relationships.

4. Ambiguous Public Messaging
   Both artists have denied outright feuds. Taylor says Actually Romantic is about someone who had a “one-sided, adversarial relationship” with her, not naming names.
   Charli, in prior interviews, insisted Sympathy Is a Knife was internal, not a public diss.

So none of this is confirmed, but the pieces line up in fans’ minds.

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Verdict: Is It Really a Charli XCX Diss?

I think the most balanced view is: Yes, it likely includes some shade toward Charli XCX, but it’s not just a hate song. It’s clever, layered, and plays with ambiguity.

• It responds to public claims and past song lines (especially Sympathy Is a Knife).

• It uses a tone that’s part sarcasm, part flirtation, not full rage.

• Taylor’s own commentary suggests she wants it to read as complex: someone resenting you but also being flattered by the attention.

• Still, because Taylor never names Charli directly (and both deny outright beef), there’s room for fans to debate and interpret.

So rather than “Is it a diss track?” the better question might be: How much of it is shading, and who is the target(s)?

Final Thoughts & What Fans Ask First

Taylor fans and chart watchers are asking:

• Who is Actually Romantic about?

• Is it Taylor’s coolest shade yet?

• How much is literal vs figurative?

• Are they friends again or just avoiding drama?

In pop culture, ambiguous references keep speculation alive. Taylor and Charli may or may not have tension, but Taylor’s song gives us good reason to believe some shade is being cast. The magic is in the poetry, not confirmation.