Zara Larsson defends herself after Taylor Swift 'dig' sparks backlash

Zara Larsson is defending herself after seemingly criticising Taylor Swift and her fanbase.

The Lush Life hitmaker sparked major backlash with her interview with The Guardian published April 3, in which she revealed why she refuses to release a single before the deluxe edition of her album Midnight Sun — because “playing the chart game is so dead.”

“No one’s looking at the charts but industry people and maybe Taylor Swift fans,” she said.

Hours later, the Swedish pop star took to her Instagram Stories to clarify her comments, insisting it came from a place of admiration and even envy for Swift.

“I did an interview in the guardian ‘saying no one cares about the charts but industry people and maybe Taylor swift fans’ because no one plays the chart game like Taylor swift lol. She’s literally the best at it and everyone knows that. It’s not the read you guys think it is,” wrote Larsson, admitting that she, in fact, does care about charts.

“I said that because I feel like I have some cultural value right now in pop music, something I’ve never had to this level, but I’m also not in a position to influence the charts,” Larsson explained. “And I still think you can be an amazing artist and not chart. Those two things are not mutually equal to me, and shouldn’t be to any fans either.”

Larsson released her fifth studio album Midnight Sun in September 2026, and is expected to release a deluxe version with remixes and new songs soon.