Taylor Swift’s 12th studio album The Life of a Showgirl is making waves—and one track in particular, “Wi$h Li$t,” has fans convinced it’s a not-so-subtle jab at her longtime nemesis, Kim Kardashian.
The Lyrics That Lit the Fuse
Swifties and Kardashian critics alike zeroed in on the lyrics from “Wi$h Li$t,” which include: “They want that yacht life, under chopper blades / They want those bright lights and Balenci’ shades / And a fat ass with a baby face / They want it all.” The verse, dripping with commentary on luxury, fame, and curated aesthetics, immediately sparked Reddit threads and Facebook fan group debates. Many called it “Kim coded,” pointing to the reality star’s signature style and public persona.
A Feud That Won’t Die
This isn’t the first time Swift has seemingly taken lyrical aim at Kardashian. Her 2024 track “thanK you aIMee” from The Tortured Poets Department was widely interpreted as a diss, with the stylized capitalization spelling out “KIM.” That song referenced a “bronze spray-tanned statue” and a “plaque underneath it / That threatens to push me down the stairs,” evoking imagery of betrayal and bullying.
Swift has spoken openly about how the feud—sparked by Kanye West’s infamous 2009 VMA interruption and reignited by the 2016 “Famous” lyrics and leaked phone call—left her psychologically shaken. In a 2023 interview, she described it as a “career death” and a period of deep personal isolation.
Fans Decode the Clues
Beyond the lyrics, fans believe Swift dropped breadcrumbs throughout The Life of a Showgirl. In “Wi$h Li$t,” she sings about a video “taken off the internet”—a possible nod to the infamous leaked footage Kim posted in 2016. Another line hints at generational impact: “And one day, your kid comes home singin’ / A song that only us two is gonna know is about you.”
This has been interpreted as a veiled reference to one of Kim’s children, suggesting Swift’s words will echo far beyond the feud’s original timeline.
Love and Shade
While “Wi$h Li$t” may throw shade, other tracks on the album celebrate Swift’s relationship with fiancé Travis Kelce. In “Wood,” she gushes about his “magic wand” and dreams of “a couple kids,” contrasting the materialistic desires mocked in “Wi$h Li$t” with her own vision of love and legacy.
Whether “Wi$h Li$t” is a direct diss or a cleverly veiled critique, it’s clear Swift hasn’t forgotten the scars of her past—and she’s turning them into pop gold.