A Look Back at the Once-Rumored Feud Between Taylor Swift and Katy Perry, Now Put to Rest

For years, fans dissected lyrics, tweets, and public appearances to decode a supposed rivalry between two of pop music's biggest stars. What began as whispers eventually became one of the most talked-about celebrity feuds of the 2010s, only to evolve into an unexpected story of reconciliation.

Taylor Swift is widely known for planting clues and hidden meanings, often called "easter eggs," throughout her music and public appearances. This habit has encouraged fans to closely analyze her songs, including speculation about who or what inspired them.

One of the most persistent theories involved Swift's 2014 song "Bad Blood." Many fans believed the track was not about a former romantic partner, but rather a fellow artist in the music industry.

Early Friendship and Public Support

In July 2009, Swift publicly praised Katy Perry's "Waking Up in Vegas" music video on Twitter. Perry responded warmly and even suggested the possibility of a songwriting collaboration, though it never came to fruition.

Between 2009 and 2014, the two artists continued to exchange friendly tweets, including birthday wishes and jokes about cats. Perry also appeared during Swift's Fearless tour, where she performed "Hot N Cold."

A Shift Behind the Scenes

By 2014, the tone of their relationship had changed. In a September 2014 Rolling Stone interview, Swift revealed that "Bad Blood" was about another woman in the music industry.

"For years, I was never sure if we were friends or not," Swift said, describing awkward encounters at awards shows. She explained that the conflict was business-related, not romantic, and involved alleged attempts to interfere with her arena tour.

Public Tension and Online Reactions

Swift added that the unnamed artist tried to hire members of her tour team, which led her to describe their relationship as one between "straight-up enemies." She added that she avoided confrontation and found the situation uncomfortable.

The day after the interview was published, Perry tweeted, "Watch out for the Regina George in sheep's clothing..." When later asked about the post, Perry said she would speak up if someone was trying to defame her character.

Throughout 2015, interviews and social media activity from both artists, as well as others in the industry, reinforced the belief that tension still existed. While neither directly named the other, the ongoing speculation remained prominent.

Katy Perry Breaks Her Silence

In 2017, Perry addressed the situation directly during a Carpool Karaoke segment on The Late Late Show with James Corden. When asked about her history with Swift, she confirmed that there was indeed a dispute.

"Honestly, it's really like she started it and it's time for her to finish it," Perry said. She explained that the issue centered on backing dancers who had previously worked with her before joining Swift's tour.

The Back-Up Dancer Dispute

Perry said the dancers had asked her permission to tour with Swift and were advised to include a contract clause allowing them to return. When Perry later prepared to resume her own tour, the dancers spoke with management and were subsequently fired.

Perry claimed Swift never discussed the situation with her directly. She expressed a desire to move on, emphasizing unity over conflict and saying she would welcome a message to officially end the feud.

The Olive Branch Moment

In May 2018, the same day Swift's Reputation tour opened in Phoenix, Perry sent Swift a literal olive branch along with a handwritten note. Swift shared a video of the gift on social media, saying it meant a great deal to her.

The note was sealed with a sticker featuring Perry's dog, adding a personal touch to the gesture.

Public Reconciliation

In June 2019, Perry shared a photo on Instagram of cookies decorated with the words "peace at last," tagging Swift and captioning the post, "it feels so good." Shortly after, Perry appeared in Swift's music video for "You Need to Calm Down."

The video showed the two artists hugging while dressed as a hamburger and fries, a visual confirmation that the feud was over.

Gestures of Friendship

In September 2020, after Perry and Orlando Bloom welcomed their daughter, Swift sent them a handmade pastel pink silk blanket. The blanket featured embroidered details including stars, a flower, the year of birth, and the words "Baby Bloom."

A Full-Circle Moment on Tour

In February 2024, Perry attended Taylor Swift's Eras Tour stop in Sydney, Australia. She shared photos and videos from the concert, including backstage moments with Swift and clips of herself singing along to "You Belong With Me" and "Bad Blood."

During "Bad Blood," Perry filmed herself reacting with mock surprise, a playful nod to their past.

In October 2025, Perry showed public support for Swift once again by sharing an Instagram Stories post. The image showed her listening to a track titled "Eldest Daughter" from Swift's album "The Life of a Showgirl."

More than a decade after their conflict began, the post reflected a relationship that had fully moved on from rivalry to mutual respect.