Charli XCX’s hit album *brat* sparked online speculation that “Sympathy is a knife” was about Taylor Swift.

Both stars recently addressed the rumored feud in a new Vulture story. As the new cover star, Charli XCX was asked if her song was inspired by her relationship with Taylor Swift. Charli and Swift toured together in 2018, and Charli later apologized for saying she felt like she was “waving to 5-year-olds” during the tour.

Fans speculated that Charli XCX’s “Sympathy is a knife” might be about Taylor Swift. The rumors arose from lyrics like, “Don’t wanna see her backstage at my boyfriend’s show / Fingers crossed behind my back / I hope they break up quick.”

Fan Theories and Speculation Surrounding Charli XCX and Taylor Swift

Fans believed the lyrics might be about Swift’s brief fling with The 1975’s Matty Healy. Charli is engaged to the band’s drummer, George Daniel.

Speculation peaked when Charli quote-tweeted a post where Swift shared a positive review of *The Tortured Poets Department*. Charli added, “Everyone’s hype for the sweat tour!”

Charli XCX Addresses Feud Speculations and Swift Responds

Though Charli later claimed there were “no diss tracks” on brat, the theories were writing themselves. “‘Von dutch’ kind of is, but the other tracks in question aren’t diss tracks,” Charli said in a video. “They are really just about how it’s so complicated being an artist, especially a female artist, where you are pitted against your peers but also expected to be best friends with every single person constantly. And if you are not, you are deemed a bad feminist.”

Now, Swift has been asked about the feud, and, of course, she expertly brushed it off. “I’ve been blown away by Charli’s melodic sensibilities since I first heard ‘Stay Away’ in 2011,” Swift told New York Magazine. “Her writing is surreal and inventive, always. She consistently takes songs to unexpected places and has been doing so for over a decade. I love to see hard work like that pay off.”

Charli dismissed the speculation, saying, “People are gonna think what they want.” She explained that the song reflects her feelings and anxiety. It also represents the narratives her mind creates when she feels insecure and doubtful.

Charli XCX Responds to Feud Rumors and Media Criticism

Prior to the interview, Charli had already slammed online posts trying to pit her against Swift. “Can the people who do this please stop. Online or at my shows. “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 posted on IG stories in June. She was responding to a video of fans at a Charli-inspired DJ set in Brazil who were chanting, “Taylor is dead!”

Charli told The Guardian that the media should stop pitting women against each other. Referring to “Girl, So Confusing,” Charli said relationships between women are complex, noting, “You can like someone and dislike them at the same time; you can feel jealous but still be friends.”