Charli xcx seemed to respond to Taylor Swift’s apparent diss track by sharing a video of a recording studio.
Swift sings, “I heard you call me "Boring Barbie" when the coke's got you brave,” on Actually Romantic, the 15th track on her new album, The Life of a Showgirl.
The song title mirrors that of Everything is Romantic on Charli’s smash hit album Brat and appeared to confirm rumours that Charli’s song Sympathy is a Knife was about her complicated feelings about Swift.
“High-fived my ex and then you said you're glad he ghosted me/ Wrote me a song saying it makes you sick to see my face,” Swift sings.
“How many times has your boyfriend said / "Why are we always talking 'bout her?"
Just days after the track dropped, Charli xcx hinted that she’s back in the studio and planning a comeback song.
— Charli (@charli_xcx) October 5, 2025
She shared a five-second video of a man sitting with his back to the camera in the studio on X and captioned it with a love heart emoji.
The Brat singer’s fans were convinced she is planning a “diss track”, with one writing: “Oh Taylor gave you something to sing about.”
“Taylor brought you out of retirement huh??” another added and a third user commented: “SHE'S COMING TO END BORING BARBIE”
“Drop that diss track,” someone else urged.
On Sympathy is a Knife, Charli xcx unpacks her emotional response to a woman who she feels is the “opposite” of her.
“This one girl taps my insecurities / Don't know if it's real or if I'm spiraling,” she sings.
“One voice tells me that they laugh / George says, I'm just paranoid,” adds Charli. “Don't wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend's show / Fingers crossed behind my back, I hope they break up quick.”
George is George Daniel, Charli’s now husband (whom she wed in Hackney and Sicily) and the drummer from English band The 1975.
Matty Healy, who dated Swift briefly in 2023, is the frontman of The 1975.
Fans had long speculated that Swift was they woman Charli was less than thrilled to have backstage at The 1975 gigs.
On Actually Romantic, Swift sings: “And I know you think it comes off vicious / But it's precious, adorable.
“Like a toy chihuahua barking at me from a tiny purse/ That's how much it hurts.”
Charli xcx joined Swift for her Reputation Tour in 2018 as her opening act.
The 360 singer later told Pitchfork she was “really grateful” for the opportunity” but that “as an artist, it kind of felt like I was getting up on stage and waving to five-year-olds”.
