Kim Kardashian’s Instagram following dropped by around 100,000 after Taylor Swift released a song believed to reference their past feud.
As of April 22, Kim’s Instagram followers had fallen from 364.3 million to 363 million. The decline coincided with the release of Taylor Swift’s new song, “thanK you aIMee,” from her latest album The Tortured Poets Department, which dropped on April 19.
Swift’s album, initially announced with 16 songs, surprised fans by including 15 additional tracks. The song “thanK you aIMee,” part of the bonus group, is thought to be about a bully, and many fans speculated that the capital letters in the title reference Kim Kardashian. Following the song’s release, Kim’s Instagram was flooded with comments referencing “thanK you aIMee.”
The History of Their Feud
The feud between Kim Kardashian and Taylor Swift dates back to 2016 when Kim’s ex-husband, Kanye West, released his song “Famous,” featuring the lyric: “I feel like me and Taylor could still have sex. Why? Because I made that bitch famous.” In response, Kim posted a 25-minute video of a phone conversation between Kanye and Taylor, in which Taylor appeared to approve the song. However, Taylor later claimed the video was edited to make her look bad, sparking a major backlash against her, including the use of snake emojis to label her as deceitful.
In retaliation, Swift channeled her frustration into her 2017 album Reputation, which prominently featured snake imagery. By 2019, Kim claimed during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen that she had moved past the scandal and no longer harbored ill feelings toward Taylor. However, Taylor revealed in a 2023 Time interview that the incident deeply affected her, leading her to isolate herself from those around her.
Swifties Speculate on More Song References
Swift’s fan base, known as the Swifties, believes that in addition to “thanK you aIMee,” another song from the album, “Cassandra,” may also allude to the long-standing conflict with Kim Kardashian. Fans further speculated that songs on the album reference Taylor’s past relationships with figures like Joe Alwyn, Matty Healy, and John Mayer.
Taylor Swift’s Success
At 34, Taylor Swift is one of the most successful artists in American music. She debuted in 2006 and quickly earned the title of “country music princess.” Known for her powerful voice and songwriting skills, Swift has won 14 Grammy Awards and 29 Billboard Awards throughout her career. Her latest endeavor, The Eras Tour, has grossed over $1 billion, cementing her status as a music-based billionaire.
Kim Kardashian’s Rise to Fame
Kim Kardashian, born in 1980, gained fame through her reality TV show Keeping Up with the Kardashians. With more than 100 million Instagram followers, she’s a well-known figure in Hollywood. As of 2022, Forbes estimated her net worth at $1.7 billion. She founded her fashion brand SKIMS in 2019 and expanded her business with the launch of her skincare line SKKN in 2022. Kim was married to Kanye West from 2014 until their separation in 2021, and they share four children.
