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Taylor Swift Clarifies 'Actually Romantic' as Fans Link It to Charli XCX

Charli XCX posted a brief studio clip after the album’s release, prompting speculation about a musical reply.

Overview

  • Swift described the track in her release film and an Amazon Music breakdown as about a one-sided, adversarial fixation rather than a named target.
  • Lyrics reference “Boring Barbie,” “when the coke’s got you brave,” and an ex “who ghosted me,” lines many listeners read as directed jabs.
  • Multiple outlets and social-media users interpret the song as aimed at Charli XCX, though Swift has not identified anyone.
  • Charli shared a short studio video on October 5 with a heart caption, and producer Finn Keane said sessions for her next album are “deep in it.”
  • Charli has previously denied that her 2024 song “Sympathy Is a Knife” was about Swift, despite fan theories tied to their past touring and shared connections.