In the ever-dazzling circus of pop music, few spectacles rival a public drama between two of its brightest stars. Taylor Swift and Charli XCX, both masters of catchy hooks and devoted devotees, have recently found themselves at the center of a juicy feud that has tongues wagging across the entertainment world. Toss in commentary from insider Ben Lee and Ione Skye, and the plot thickens into one pop culture soap opera that no one can stop watching.

When you aim at the queen of pop, make sure you have impeccable aim or prepare to face the music: literally.

Australian musician Ben Lee rounded up the perfect lesson for all naysayers during his podcast Weirder Together. He addressed that the main thing one can take away from the Taylor Swift and Charli XCX undercover beef, "is that if you are going to take a shot at the queen, you better not miss”. The“queen” he refers to is none other than Taylor Swift herself, the pop powerhouse with an army of fiercely loyal fans. All in the context of Charli XCX’s perceived slights that sparked a swift backlash proving that in Swift’s kingdom, a miss this vague can be career-altering.

The episode dug deep, explaining that Taylor Swift’s cultural sway means her fanbase guards her reputation like it is the Holy Grail. Charli XCX’s infamous remark dismissing Swift’s tour audience to be “five-year-olds” back in 2019 after she opened the stage at the 'Lover' album's promotion show, seen by many as a cheeky jab that did not land lightly. It set off bells in the fan army and sowed seeds of a simmering rivalry. 

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Throw in a tangled love triangle and a bandmate with a front-row seat, and you have all the ingredients for a pop drama that will not quit.

The drama between Taylor Swift and Charli XCX escalated in 2024 with Charli’s song 'Sympathy Is a Knife' from her album 'BRAT', widely read as a veiled shot at Taylor Swift’s music and persona, while also trotting past her with it being one of the best albums of the decade. Not one to stay silent, Swift fired back in 2025 with 'Actually Romantic' from 'The Life of a Showgirl', lyrics targeting someone she calls a “Boring Barbie” who “high-fived my ex and then said you’re glad he ghosted me”. That “ex” refers to Matty Healy, frontman of The 1975, and the twist being George Daniel, the drummer of The 1975, Healy’s trusty bandmate and now, Charli XCX's ride or die, her husband as of 2025. 

Even past the mythological feud, Charli XCX is known to have come to Swift’s defense when hostile fan chants erupted at her own concerts in 2024, revealing that even the sharpest rivalries can come with surprising doses of respect. This ongoing Taylor Swift versus Charli XCX saga shows how in the pop game, friendship, rivalry, and family ties often blend into one messy, melodious mix. 

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What do you think of this great entanglement of stars Taylor Swift and Charli XCX? Let us know in the comments below!