Overview

• Swift’s 12th album The Life of a Showgirl arrived Friday, with the much-discussed track “Actually Romantic” now officially available.
• The song opens with lines alleging someone called her “Boring Barbie,” celebrated her ex, and wrote a song about being sick of her face.
• Many listeners read the track as a response to Charli XCX’s Brat-era, especially “Sympathy Is a Knife,” though the song names no target.
• Fans cite overlaps involving The 1975’s Matty Healy and George Daniel and a possible nod to Charli’s titles, but these links remain speculative.
• Reaction ranges from claims Swift misread Charli’s insecurity-themed song to unverified chatter about personal friction, as commentary also spotlights the track’s explicit, queer-toned writing.