THE FEUD-AL SYSTEM
Taylor Swift and Katy Perry make nice, almost as if right on cue
Taylor Swift’s Instagram stunt Tuesday, with its suspiciously perfect timing, proves no one can match her ability to stay in the spotlight.
Hours before the first concert of her Reputation Tour in Arizona, Swift posted an Instagram story to her 107 million followers with the image of an olive branch and the caption “Thank you Katy.”
“So I just got to my dressing room and found this actual olive branch,” Swift says in the video clip. “This means so much to me.”
For those unaware of the backstory: Swift and Katy Perry have been embroiled in a public feud since 2014, when Swift told Rolling Stone that her fiery song Bad Blood was about an unnamed female singer who tried to “sabotage” a tour. Fans put two and two together: A few of Swift’s backup dancers had jumped ship to Perry’s tour. Things escalated when Swift’s music video for Bad Blood featured the pop star and her celebrity friends ready to battle.
Reading between the lines: Don’t mess with Swift, because she’ll use her power to bring you down.
Aside from a few passive-aggressive tweets, Perry didn’t discuss it for years (Swift never mentioned it again after the Rolling Stone article). Then, last year, Perry went into detail about the feud on an episode of James Corden’s Carpool Karaoke while promoting a new album.
“There’s a situation,” Perry said. “She started it, and it’s time for her to finish it.”
A few days later, on the same day Perry’s album dropped (with a rumoured Swift dis track, Swish Swish), Swift released all her music to streaming services, despite being notoriously anti-streaming.
Yet despite everything, Perry clearly decided now was time to end the fight.
Although she hasn’t commented on Swift’s Instagram story, the card with the olive branch reads, “Hey old friend — I’ve been doing some reflecting on past miscommunications and hurt feelings between us. I really want to clear the air.”
Posting this video is a very savvy move by Swift. She could have kept the gift private, but why do that when you can share it with millions?
First, those few sentences visible in the card make it seem like the feud was Perry’s fault — because, hey, she reached out to apologize first! And Swift looks like the mature one, graciously accepting Perry’s regrets.
Then, the timing: Given that it was mere hours before her stadium tour started, Swift ensured her name stays in the headlines. Sure, a tour is great. But this olivebranch situation is an unexpected twist in a pop-culture feud that’s captivated fans for years. The onetwo punch guarantees Swift the news cycle.
As for Perry, her recent album struggled, but she’s found new life as an American Idol judge. It’s a great time for closure as she embarks on the next phase of her career.
It works out for both of them. And if Perry shows up as a surprise guest on Swift’s tour this summer, don’t be surprised.