The Queen of Petty Returns
Taylor Swift is proving once again that she’s not just a pop star — she’s also the reigning queen of subtle shade. Her brand-new album, The Life of a Showgirl, dropped on October 3rd, and while it’s glittery, catchy, and full of big pop moments, it’s also… kind of mean.
Instead of keeping it classy, Swift seems to have decided that revenge is the real aesthetic. Between her rumored jabs at singer Charli XCX and the not-so-subtle references to her boyfriend Travis Kelce’s exes, this era feels more like a burn book set to music than a love letter to her fans.
More Shade Than Sparkle
Let’s start with the most obvious target: Charli XCX. Swift’s song “Actually Romantic” has fans convinced she’s taking shots at Charli for previously saying she didn’t like being compared to her. The lyrics talk about someone who’s “offended but obsessed” and “spends too much time” thinking about her. Sound familiar?
Charli didn’t take the bait, simply saying, “People are gonna think what they want to think.” Translation: “Nice try, Taylor.”
But the drama didn’t stop there. Swift’s lyrics and even her public gestures have people side-eyeing her relationship with Travis Kelce. From a supposed dig at his ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole to a “coincidental” gift to Teyana Taylor (one of Kayla’s friends), Swift’s petty behavior might just be her favorite new hobby. Fans online dubbed her “Pettylina Swift” — and honestly, it kind of fits.
When Confidence Turns to Chaos
Sure, The Life of a Showgirl has some catchy tracks and shiny production, but the message feels a little off. What could have been a fun, confident album about love and success instead comes off like a long list of personal digs.
Critics have started to call this her “ego era,” claiming she’s using her fame to settle scores rather than tell stories. One reviewer even wrote that Swift “spends more time pointing fingers than playing guitar.” Ouch.
Maybe she’s too busy writing comebacks to notice the music sounds like recycled pop leftovers.
The Internet Isn’t Fooled
TikTok and X (Twitter) users have been dragging Swift for what they call “high-school energy.” Some think she’s being iconic and “unbothered.” Others say she’s stuck in a mean-girl phase that feels outdated. “She acts like she’s still 19, just with better lighting,” one fan joked in a viral post. The internet can spot a hidden message faster than Swift can hide one, and the general consensus seems clear: The Life of a Showgirl might be catchy, but it’s also one of her pettiest eras yet.
The Final Word
Taylor Swift has every right to express herself — but there’s a fine line between confidence and cockiness. While The Life of a Showgirl will definitely break records, it might also break her “America’s Sweetheart” image once and for all.
If this album proves anything, it’s that Taylor Swift doesn’t forgive, doesn’t forget, and definitely doesn’t miss a chance to make it rhyme.
