Is there a new chapter in the Taylor Swift and Charli XCX saga? It appears so, with some fans interpreting Charli XCX's recent "Saturday Night Live" appearance as a subtle jab aimed squarely at Taylor Swift. But here's where it gets controversial: Was it a deliberate diss, or just an innocent fashion choice blown out of proportion by eager fans?
The buzz started during Role Model's performance of his song "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out." Charli XCX, 33, made a cameo as "Sally," sporting a striking outfit: a leather miniskirt, sunglasses, and a T-shirt emblazoned with "Max's Kansas City." And this is the part most people miss... it's not just the shirt itself, but the context that set the internet ablaze.
Why all the fuss? Well, Taylor Swift's fiancé, Travis Kelce, plays tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. This connection led many viewers to speculate that the shirt was a direct response to Swift's song "Actually Romantic" from her recent album, "Life of a Showgirl," where she allegedly addresses a feud with Charli XCX.
One fan on X (formerly Twitter) quoted a lyric from "Actually Romantic," writing, "The KC T-shirt … oh tiny chihuahua, you will be dealt with." Another chimed in, questioning the timing and suggesting Charli XCX was behaving immaturely: "OK and how [long] has Charli been going around and talking s–t about Taylor? SHE’S too old to be doing this."
However, not everyone jumped on the feud bandwagon. Some pointed out that Role Model himself wore a similar shirt in his "SNL" promo photos earlier in the week. A fan wrote, "Charli XCX wearing Tucker’s shirt as his Sally," while another added, "As both a Taylor and [Role Model] stan this has nothing to do with Taylor and everything to do with a bit [Role Model] has about having beef with Charli a week ago none of you cared so move on.” It seems the shirt might have been an inside joke or a reference to Role Model's own style, rather than a calculated dig at Swift.
The alleged tension between the two pop stars reportedly escalated with the release of "Life of a Showgirl" on October 3rd. Fans quickly drew parallels between Swift's "Actually Romantic" and Charli XCX's song title "Everything is romantic," suggesting a possible lyrical sparring match. The most inflammatory line in Swift's song, according to fans, is: "I heard you call me ‘Boring Barbie’ when the coke’s got you brave." This was interpreted as a jab at Charli XCX, who has openly discussed her past experiences with drug use in her music.
Adding another layer to the complexity, Charli XCX previously opened for Taylor Swift on her "Reputation" tour back in 2018. However, their relationship seemed to shift after Charli became close to Swift's ex, Matty Healy. She even married Healy's 1975 bandmate, George Daniel.
Interestingly, Swift has also publicly praised Charli XCX's work. She told Vulture that she was "blown away" by Charli's 2024 album, "Brat," calling her writing "surreal and inventive." Swift was also spotted dancing to Charli XCX's 2025 Grammys performance in February, suggesting a level of respect and admiration. So, is this a real feud, or just a case of fans reading too much into things?
Ultimately, the intent behind Charli XCX's "SNL" outfit remains ambiguous. Was it a calculated move to provoke Taylor Swift, a nod to Role Model's style, or simply a coincidence? Could this be a case of fans projecting their own interpretations onto a situation, or is there genuine animosity brewing beneath the surface? What do you think? Is this a legitimate feud, or are fans overreacting? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
