Taylor Swift fans call out Charli XCX for 'messed up' magazine cover

Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Charli XCX has stirred controversy among Taylor Swift fans with her latest New York magazine cover, where she sports a friendship bracelet on a severed hand.

The 32-year-old 'Brat Summer' creator from Cambridge made her striking debut on the cover of the bi-weekly publication, but the blood-soaked shoot has sparked backlash.

Fans outrage over controversial Charlie XCX cover

Some critics have called it insensitive, particularly following the recent tragedy at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, where three children were fatally stabbed.

Many fans have criticized the interview and cover — shot in July, before the Southport murders and the foiled attack in Vienna — as "messed up".

One image shows the singer lying on a hospital gurney, surrounded by paparazzi, with her hand gruesomely cut off — the severed limb wearing a bracelet that reads "Charli."

Another comment read, "Still the same: friendship bracelets being popularized recently by Taylor and blood… weeks after the attempts in Vienna and the girls killed in Southport? that’s so messed up."

Last month, tragedy struck a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport when a knife-wielding assailant went on a rampage, resulting in the deaths of three young children: six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe, and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar.

In total, ten people were stabbed in the horrifying attack.

Just days after the incident, Taylor Swift was compelled to cancel three scheduled concerts in Vienna due to a foiled terror plot targeting the venue.

Swift had been set to perform before a crowd of 170,000 fans on August 8, 9, and 10, leaving many Swifties heartbroken by the unexpected cancellation.

Photographer David LaChapelle, discussing the inspiration behind the shoot, explained that it draws from "Hollywood's grittier elements," according to New York Press Room.

"I've always loved the rawness of B movies and tabloids and Hollywood Babylon. They've always spoken to me. Charli's had such a strong career, but this is a new level for her, and I wanted to do something that was kind of tabloid, but also add some surreal elements dealing with the nature of how she's exploded," LaChapelle shared.

"So, it's a B-movie take on the idea of a tabloid frenzy. She's sort of trapped by fame and all the tabloid photographers are chasing her. An animal trapped in woods would bite off its own limb — she bites off her hand."

"Then, she's brought to the hospital and probably given some sort of painkiller. She's hallucinating. Instead of a real Hollywood tragedy, it's more of a fantasied one. She's stuck in a dreamscape."

However, other viewers and Charli XCX's fans had a different take.

Viewers defend Charli XCX, claim she's 'teasing a collab'

Many of Charli's fans rushed to her defense, pointing out that friendship bracelets have been a staple of rave culture, popular long before Taylor's Eras Tour.

Others took the bracelet as a tantalizing clue, speculating that a Charli-Taylor collaboration could be on the horizon.

A particular viewer expressed, "This photo shoot was likely way before the event with those kids. And if you READ the description of the photo, it’s supposed to be Charli’s hand."

Following suit, another observer added, "Girl thats her f***ing hand. why are you swifties so offended the f**k?"

Additionally, a viewer pointed out, "Did you ever think that this stuff was played before that happened? Photo shoot ideas don’t take a day to plan. They can take weeks if not months."

A follower contributed, "She was teasing a collab."

A comment underscored, "I could see why you’d think that, but I’m almost positive this shoot was done weeks in advance."

Another comment echoed, "Not everything is about taylor swift what the f**k. taylor swift does not own friend ship bracelets plus this photoshoot was made in july."

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