Katy Perry has flip-flopped on her views of Taylor Swift so often over the past few weeks that even John Kerry thinks the singer may be losing it.
First, the artist spoke to James Corden about her years-long feud with Swift, citing her rival by name and making it clear that there’s been a “situation” between the stars for a long time now.
It has to do with backup dancers and how they were shared between Perry and Swift back in the day until Katy wanted them back and Taylor got angry and…
… you know what? The details aren’t really important.
What reporters have been focused on instead is the general nature of this intense feud between two of the planet’s most beloved pop stars and when/how it might end.
“Honestly, it’s really like she started it, and it’s time for her to finish it,” Perry told Corden late last month.
In doing so, she got more specific than Swift has ever gotten about her.
Despite clearly writing “Bad Blood” with Perry in mind and despite dropping a few mysterious insults here and there, Taylor has never confirmed a beef with Perry.
She’s never even said her name in the context of their long-simmering disagreement.
But Perry is trying to sell a new album and has been using her feud with Swift to make headlines and help promote “Witness.”
Speaking to NME after talking to Corden, Perry – who released the revenge track “Swish Swish” this spring – continued to play the victim.
“I wish that I could turn the other cheek every single time, but I’m also not a pushover, you know?” she said, adding:
“Especially when someone tries to assassinate my character with little girls [her fans]. That’s so messed up!”
Harsh words. And effective words?
Not exactly.
Swift, who has avoided the spotlight for about a year now, is yet to respond to anything Perry has said. At least not verbally.
But she pulled the ultimate Taylor Swift Move last week, agreeing to let EVERY STREAMING SERVICE play EVERY ONE OF HER SINGLES after previously keeping her music off such platforms as Pandora, Spotify and Tidal.
These songs were released at midnight last Thursday.
And… wouldn’t you know it? Perry’s new album dropped at the same time!
What a coincidence!
Perhaps sensing that she was losing this battle in very public fashion, Perry backtracked in a livestream a few days ago.
She attempted a different tact to capitalize on her feud with Taylor.
“I am ready to let it go,” the artist said. “I forgive her and I’m sorry for anything I ever did, and I hope the same from her. I think it’s time.”
In other words: Please stop, Taylor. You win, okay? Just take it easy on me. I give up.
Then, in a new interview with Natalie Morales of The Today Show, Perry was asked about the song “Swish Swish.”
It is about Swift, right?
Perry tried to insist that the track was not just about one person, yet added of Taylor:
“All I have to say to her is I love her and God bless her on her journey.”
The singers have been at odds since 2013, when Perry hired backup dancers from Swift’s tour.
This rivalry has been one of the most passive aggressive in recent memory and Perry’s recent quotes are the first sign that it may come to an end soon.
Not that Swift has any plans to make peace with Katy. Or even to discuss their mutual hatred at all.
“She honestly wants no part of this, that’s why she avoids talking about it,” a friend tells Us Weekly. “She doesn’t want to engage.”
Yes, Taylor Swift once again wants to be excluded from a narrative.
We don’t blame her.
