Charli XCX performing on “Saturday Night Live” with Role Model last month. This record-setting performance has since led to rampant speculation about a potential link to Taylor Swift. Swift today previewed her new album The Life of a Showgirl with the infectious single “Actually Romantic.” Fans are already guessing that it’s a nod to Charli XCX’s upcoming 2024 single “Everything Is Romantic.”
The October 11 episode of “Saturday Night Live” with Amy Poehler as host. It was Role Model’s thrilling debut on the legendary late-night show. During his performance of “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” Charli XCX joined him on stage, creating a memorable moment. She wore a T-shirt that featured “Max’s Kansas City.” This storied New York City nightclub is an institution known for its dynamic music scene. This decision could be interpreted as a compliment to Role Model’s Kansas Anymore album.
Taylor Swift’s ties to Kansas City make for yet another layer of intrigue in this developing story. As she’s making regular trips to the city with her new fiancé, Travis Kelce, her connection to the area is exceptionally timely. Fans have begun to speculate whether Swift’s “Actually Romantic” was influenced by Charli XCX’s work, especially given the thematic similarities between the two songs.
Charli XCX’s “Everything Is Romantic” explores the messiness of love and relationships. Beyond that, her single “Sympathy Is a Knife” addresses deep-set insecurities, with some listeners speculating that it alludes to the short-lived romance between Swift and Matty Healy. This speculation has not been publicly refuted by either artist, forcing fans to continue guessing about the state of their relationship.
The performance on “Saturday Night Live” was notable not only for Charli XCX’s appearance but for her playful gesture of removing her dark sunglasses and placing them on Role Model. Immediately after her performance, she mysteriously disappeared from the stage. Fans were then left to wonder what she meant and if it has anything to do with the ongoing story arc with Taylor Swift.
