Let’s be real: Taylor Swift doesn't usually name names. She leaves digital breadcrumbs—liner note codes, Easter eggs, and very specific metaphors—but with her 2014 hit "Bad Blood," she basically handed the world a magnifying glass and pointed it directly at a fellow pop titan.
If you've ever wondered who did taylor swift write bad blood about, the short answer is Katy Perry. But the long answer? It’s a messy, years-long saga involving backup dancers, cryptic tweets, a common ex-boyfriend, and a literal olive branch.
It wasn't just a "breakup song" for the radio. It was a business declaration.
The Rolling Stone Interview That Started It All
Before the song even dropped with its star-studded, Kill Bill-style music video, Taylor set the stage. In a now-legendary 2014 Rolling Stone cover story, she spilled the tea without actually saying the name "Katy."
She told the world the song was about another female artist. Taylor said she was never sure if they were actually friends or if this person was just tossing "the harshest insults" her way at award shows. Then came the bombshell: "She basically tried to sabotage an entire arena tour. She tried to hire a bunch of people out from under me."
Ouch.
The internet, being the internet, did about five minutes of detective work. It didn't take long to find the smoking gun. Three of Taylor’s backup dancers from the Red Tour—Lockhart Brownlie, Scott Myrick, and Benny Thompson—had left her mid-tour to join Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour.
It Was About Business, Not Just a Guy
Pop culture loves to blame "catfights" on men. For a long time, people thought the tension was about John Mayer, whom both women dated (Taylor in 2009/2010 and Katy later in 2012). Taylor was quick to shut that down in that same interview. She insisted the feud had nothing to do with a guy and everything to do with professional betrayal.
Basically, the dancers had worked for Katy first. When Katy went on hiatus, they joined Taylor. When Katy decided to go back on the road, she reached out to them. The dancers gave Taylor their 30-day notice, and reportedly, Taylor was so upset she fired them on the spot.
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The "Regina George" Tweet
The day after the Rolling Stone article went live, Katy Perry didn't stay silent. She hopped on Twitter (now X) and posted one of the most famous subtweets in history:
"Watch out for the Regina George in sheep's clothing..."
The message was crystal clear. Katy was casting Taylor as the "Mean Girl" who was playing the victim. This wasn't just a private disagreement anymore. It was a full-scale pop war.
Hidden Clues in the Lyrics
If you listen closely to the 1989 version of the track, there are some pretty "on the nose" references.
- "You live like that, you live with ghosts": Fans pointed out that Katy Perry has a song literally titled "Ghost" on her Prism album.
- "Band-Aids don't fix bullet holes": Katy also wrote a song called "Bullet" (which she gave to Jessie James Decker).
- The Music Video: In the "Bad Blood" video, Selena Gomez plays the villain, Arsyn. She wears a blunt, dark bob—a hairstyle that was basically Katy Perry's signature look at the time.
How the Feud Finally Ended
For about five years, the "Bad Blood" was very real. There were response tracks (Katy’s "Swish Swish" is widely seen as her retort) and plenty of "shady" interview moments. But by 2018, the vibes shifted.
On the opening night of Taylor’s Reputation Stadium Tour, Katy sent a literal olive branch and a handwritten note to Taylor’s dressing room. Taylor posted a video of it on her Instagram Stories with the caption "Thank you Katy."
The final "official" peace treaty happened in 2019. In Taylor’s "You Need to Calm Down" music video, the two appeared together. Taylor was dressed as a box of French fries and Katy was dressed as a hamburger. They hugged. The world breathed a sigh of relief.
Honestly, it’s one of the few celebrity feuds that actually ended with genuine reconciliation rather than just fading into awkward silence.
Key Takeaways for Pop Culture Sleuths
If you’re trying to understand the legacy of this song, here is the breakdown:
- The Subject: Katy Perry is the undisputed inspiration.
- The Conflict: It started over professional backup dancers leaving Taylor's Red Tour for Katy's tour.
- The Resolution: They made up in 2018/2019 and are currently on good terms. Katy even attended the Eras Tour in 2024.
- The Lesson: In the world of high-stakes pop music, "Mad Love" can turn into "Bad Blood" over a simple business contract—but a literal olive branch actually works.
To see how Taylor's songwriting evolved after this era, you can look into the "vault tracks" from 1989 (Taylor's Version) which offer even more perspective on her mindset during that whirlwind year of 2014.