Photo — Katy Perry: source (Public domain) · Taylor Swift: Taylor Swift (CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Short Version
After years of public friendship, a dispute arose in late 2013 when backup dancers left Taylor Swift's tour to join Katy Perry's tour. Swift subsequently released the diss track 'Bad Blood' in 2014, while Perry released 'Swish Swish' in 2017. The pair reconciled in 2018 after Perry sent Swift a literal olive branch, leading to a public reunion in Swift's 2019 'You Need to Calm Down' music video.
Latest Development
Swift supports Perry at MTV Video Music Awards
Swift was filmed dancing and cheering for Perry during Perry's performance of her greatest hits at the 2024 MTV VMAs.
September 11, 2024 · Verified event
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
September 11, 2024
Swift supports Perry at MTV Video Music Awards
Verified eventSwift was filmed dancing and cheering for Perry during Perry's performance of her greatest hits at the 2024 MTV VMAs.
Source ↗February 23, 2024
Perry attends Swift's Eras Tour concert in Sydney
Verified eventPerry attended Swift's Eras Tour performance in Sydney, Australia, posting a photo with Swift and a video of herself reacting playfully as Swift performed 'Bad Blood'.
Source ↗June 17, 2019
Perry appears in Swift's 'You Need to Calm Down' video
Verified eventPerry made a cameo in Swift's music video for 'You Need to Calm Down', dressed as a hamburger embracing Swift dressed as French fries, publicly confirming their feud was over.
Source ↗May 2018
Perry sends olive branch to Swift
Verified eventAt the opening of Swift's Reputation Stadium Tour, Perry sent Swift a package containing an actual olive branch and a supportive note, beginning their formal reconciliation.
Source ↗May 19, 2017
Perry releases 'Swish Swish' and addresses dispute
Public statementPerry released the single 'Swish Swish' featuring Nicki Minaj, which was widely seen as a response to 'Bad Blood'. In media interviews around the album release, Perry stated that Swift started the feud and it was time for her to finish it.
Source ↗May 17, 2015
Swift releases 'Bad Blood' music video
Verified eventSwift released the star-studded music video for 'Bad Blood', which was widely interpreted as addressing the conflict between herself and Perry.
Source ↗September 9, 2014
Perry posts 'Regina George' tweet
Public statementFollowing the publication of Swift's interview, Perry posted a tweet reading: 'Watch out for the Regina George in sheep's clothing...'
Source ↗September 8, 2014
Swift discusses feud in Rolling Stone cover story
AllegationIn a Rolling Stone interview, Swift revealed her song 'Bad Blood' was about a female artist who 'tried to sabotage an entire arena tour' by hiring people out from under her.
Source ↗December 2013
Backup dancers leave Swift's tour for Perry's tour
Public statementDancer Lockhart Brownlie stated in an interview with Australia's The Examiner that he and two other dancers left Swift's Red Tour to join Perry's Prism tour, explaining they were closer with Perry and danced more on her tour.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Resolved. The dispute is fully resolved. Perry attended Swift's Eras Tour in Sydney in February 2024, and Swift was seen cheering and dancing for Perry at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 2024.
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Sources
- 1.SourceSwift supports Perry at MTV Video Music Awards · Sep 11, 2024
- 2.SourcePerry attends Swift's Eras Tour concert in Sydney · Feb 23, 2024
- 3.SourcePerry appears in Swift's 'You Need to Calm Down' video · Jun 17, 2019
- 4.SourcePerry sends olive branch to Swift ·
- 5.SourcePerry releases 'Swish Swish' and addresses dispute · May 19, 2017
- 6.SourceSwift releases 'Bad Blood' music video · May 17, 2015
- 7.SourcePerry posts 'Regina George' tweet · Sep 9, 2014
- 8.SourceSwift discusses feud in Rolling Stone cover story · Sep 8, 2014
- 9.SourceBackup dancers leave Swift's tour for Perry's tour ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.