Overview

• Swift released The Life of a Showgirl on Oct. 3, and the track “Actually Romantic” immediately became the album’s most scrutinized song online.
• The song includes pointed lines such as “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave” and “High-fived my ex and then you said you’re glad he ghosted me,” which listeners view as clues.
• Many are linking the track to Charli XCX’s Brat era, citing her songs “Sympathy Is a Knife” and “Everything Is Romantic,” plus her marriage to The 1975’s George Daniel and Swift’s past link to frontman Matty Healy.
• As of publication, Swift has not identified a subject and Charli XCX has not publicly responded, with fan reactions split between reading the song as a diss and as tongue‑in‑cheek.
• Unverified booklet lyrics circulated online around the release, and outlets note their authenticity is unclear, while Charli previously said Brat contains no diss tracks and both artists have publicly praised each other.