Taylor Swift Says 'Bad Blood' Beef With Katy Perry Was Diversion Tactic

GQ’s upcoming November issue features Taylor Swift on the cover and writer Chuck Klosterman questioned her about the prevailing rumor that “Bad Blood” is about Katy Perry.

Swift explained that she let the rumor of their broken friendship take flight to prevent people from thinking the song was about yet another spurned ex-boyfriend: “I don’t necessarily care who people think it’s about. I just needed to divert them away from the easiest target.”

Taylor Swift still isn't ready to name names. In a GQ cover story she declines to confirm whether her song "Bad Blood" is about Katy Perry. (GQ)

by Jon San

Swift continued, “I never said anything that would point a finger in the specific direction of one specific person.”

The rumor started after an interview last year with Rolling Stone, and while it’s true she never says either of the words “Katy” or “Perry” in that interview, Swift left very little to the imagination as to who she has bad blood with. Who else other than Katy Perry would allegedly steal back-up dancers from her arena tour?

Whether or not Katy Perry is or isn’t the subject of “Bad Blood,” Taylor maintains that the song’s message still rings true: “It was important to show that losing friendships can be just as damaging to a person as losing a romantic relationship.”

The music video for “Bad Blood” is also notable for featuring Taylor Swift’s buzzworthy girl squad, including but not limited to models Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevingne, and Karlie Kloss. In GQ, she commented on her crew, saying: “I honestly think my lack of female friendships in high school and middle school is why my female friendships are so important now.”

Tonight the Live Nation channel on Yahoo is streaming a concert from hip-hop duo Aer. Check it out at 7:05 p.m. PT exclusively at Yahoo Live.