'The Life of a Showgirl': Did Taylor Swift throw shade at Charli xcx with 'Actually Romantic'? Here's what fans think

Taylor Swift has released her brand new album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’ – and fans can’t help but stream, pick out their favourites, and connect the dots on who the shade is. After multiple theories on social media, with added hints in the lyrics and interviews, the fingers point at the ‘Brat’ singer Charli xcx, suggesting a solid diss track on her doorstep.

Taylor Swift's track 'Actually Romantic'

In the album released on October 3, 2025, Taylor Swift introduced a song ‘Actually Romantic’ – which might sound like a love song, but rather highlights the subtle obsession. With the lyrics ‘Like a toy chihuahua barking at me from a tiny purse,’ the 35-year-old billionaire singer didn’t hesitate to call out the songs. In the track, Swift sings “I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie' / When the coke’s got you brave / 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 / Some people might be offended.”

Charli xcx’s track from ‘Brat’

Well, the dots connect to an album released last year called ‘Brat’ by Chali xcx, where she claimed what she had wished. “George says I’m just paranoid / Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back / I hope they break up real quick,” the singer sang in the track ‘Sympathy is a Knife.’

The George [Daniel] reference highlights her husband, who is in the band ‘The 1975,’ along with Matty Healy, Adam Hann, and Ross MacDonald. For the unversed, Healy and Swift had an on-and-off public relationship for a brief moment. Meanwhile, the title ‘Actually Romantic’ gives a nod to another song from Charli, ‘Everything is Romantic,’ from the aforementioned album. While the claims have not been officially addressed by the singers, that doesn’t stop fans from clowning along the way.

‘The Life of a Showgirl’ is the 12th studio album by Taylor Swift.