Taylor Swift’s drama diaries: 7 celebrity clashes that became chart-topping hits — from Katy Perry to Kanye West

Taylor Swift’s feud list goes far beyond exes. While many inspired her songs, she’s also had legendary clashes with Katy Perry and a tumultuous war with Kanye West, whose attacks even crossed the line. What sets Swift apart, though, is her knack for being sassy and classy while delivering comebacks that no one—rivals or fans alike—can forget.

So, buckle up. Here’s a rundown of the nine people Swift has locked horns with.

The longest and most exhausting feud: That would be with Katy Perry—once a friend, now more of a headline-maker. Their drama allegedly started over some backup dancers switching tours, but quickly spiraled into a musical warzone. Swift’s Bad Blood was the ultimate clapback, Perry hit back with Swish Swish, and Swift’s Look What You Made Me Do might have been the jab.

Perry tried to extend an olive branch in 2017, but Swift stayed silent, until 2018, when she finally thanked Perry for it on Instagram. The pair turned cordial, with Perry even posting cookies as a peace sign.

And now they're close friends. She showed up at Swift’s Eras Tour stop in Sydney on February 23, 2024. Just like any devoted Swiftie, she took to social media to share her experience — along with a cheeky nod to their past feud.

“Got to see an old friend shine tonight,” Perry captioned an Instagram photo of herself beaming backstage next to Swift.

When Swift’s Bad Blood snagged a 2015 VMA nod, Nicki Minaj wasn’t exactly thrilled that her viral Anaconda wasn’t nominated. “If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for vid of the year,” Minaj tweeted sarcastically.

Swift fired back with, “I’ve done nothing but love & support you… Maybe one of the men took your slot.” The feud sparked a bigger conversation about race in the industry, with Perry ironically jumping in to point out Swift’s 'support' came despite 'Bad Blood being a diss to another woman.

The drama cooled off after a hug at the 2015 VMAs, but Minaj came back swinging two years later, featuring on Perry’s Swish Swish—track aimed squarely at Swift.

You can’t talk Swift feuds without the Kanye West saga. Flashback to 2009’s VMAs: Swift’s just won best female video, but Kanye interrupts with the line, “Imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time!”

After the ceremony, Swift was interviewed by reporters. She told them "I was standing on stage and I was really excited because I'd just won the award and then I was really excited because Kanye West was on stage... And then I wasn't excited anymore after that."

West eventually apologised, but the peace was short-lived. Fast forward to 2016, Kanye drops “Famous” with rather profane and offensive lyrics about Swift. Swift was obviously livid. Her Look What You Made Me Do video seems like a thinly veiled jab at West.

West claimed Swift approved the lyrics during a phone call, but Swift’s team denied she knew about the “bitch” line. Kim Kardashian, who was married to West at the time, later released edited clips of the call, fueling backlash against Swift. The dispute escalated with social media attacks and 'snake' imagery targeting Swift. Years later, full recordings supported Swift’s version, but the intense controversy led her to step back from the spotlight for a year. Later, Swift said that the whole feud 'took her down to a place psychologically', where she had never been before.

She was branded a “snake”—a label she turned into her Reputation era aesthetic. Talk about flipping the script.

If you thought Swift’s feuds were all petty, think again. The battle with Scooter Braun is the real heavyweight. Braun, who managed West during the VMA chaos, bought the rights to Swift’s masters through Big Machine Records. Swift learned about the deal alongside the public.

“All I could think about was the incessant, manipulative bullying I’ve received at his hands for years,” she wrote on Tumblr.

The industry took sides, with Justin Bieber defending Braun, while others backed Swift. This one’s still unfolding—and it’s personal.

Swift’s not shy about turning breakups into music, but Joe Jonas probably took it the hardest. After dumping Swift in a 27-second phone call, he moved on quickly, dating Camilla Belle. Both threw shade in interviews and songs—Joe with “Much Better” and Taylor with a slew including “Forever and Always.”

As Swift told MTV, “If they don’t want me to write bad songs about them, they shouldn’t do bad things.”

Swift’s drama with Joe Jonas dragged Demi Lovato in, thanks to some BFF tensions with Selena Gomez. Lovato famously told a fan to “Ask Taylor!” when questioned about Gomez.

Later, as Lovato dated Jonas, fans speculated Swift’s friendships were strategic revenge. Years later, Lovato called out Swift for staying quiet during Kesha’s lawsuit. Swift quickly revealed she donated $250,000 to Kesha’s legal fight, but Lovato wasn’t convinced. “Take something to Capitol Hill or actually speak out about something and then I’ll be impressed,” she tweeted.

Oof.