Taylor Swift Says She's 'Blown Away' by Charli xcx's Talent AfterBratAlbum Sparked Feud Rumors

Mar. 15, 2025

Charli xcx and Taylor Swift in New York City in December 2014.Photo:Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Taylor Swiftremains a fan ofCharli xcx.

After the English pop star’sBratalbum track “Sympathy Is a Knife” sparked rumors of a rift between the two musicians, Swift opened up toNew Yorkmagazinein a new cover story on Charli about admiring the “Guess” singer’s work.

Charli xcx in Inglewood in March 2024.Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images

Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images

The “Fortnight” artist added of Charli, 32, “She just takes a song to places you wouldn’t expect it to go, and she’s been doing it consistently for over a decade. I love to see hard work like that pay off.”

Fans began speculating Charli felt negatively toward Swift after the release of “Sympathy Is a Knife,” the lyrics of which discuss the “Apple” musician feeling insecure about another woman in her orbit.

“Sympathy Is a Knife” also features Charli — who’sengaged toGeorge Danielof The 1975 — singing the lyrics, “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back / I hope they break up quick.”

Upon hearing the song, fans speculated she was discussing Swift’s past relationship with the band’s lead singerMatty Healy, who’s now engaged toGabbriette Bechtel.

In theNew Yorkinterview, Charli refused to clarify whether “Sympathy Is a Knife” is about Swift. “People are gonna think what they want to think,” she said.

Charli xcx in Los Angeles in March 2024.Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images

“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,” added Charli.

The “Von Dutch” star also offered a simple “No” when asked, as the reporter noted, “if she had ever considered leaving out the line about being backstage together since it makes the allusion seem so obvious.”

Charli xcx in Beverly Hills in February 2024.ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty

In June, Charli took to social media tospeak out against certain fans for chanting “Taylor Swift Is Dead"at her performances in Brazil. “Can the people who do this please stop. Online or at my shows,” she wrote in an Instagram Story.

“It is the opposite of what I want and it disturbs me that anyone would think there is room for this in this community,” she added. “I will not tolerate it.”

source: people.com