Is Kim trying to make amends with Taylor? Sabrina Carpenter becomes the latest in a line of Swift’s inner circle to model for SKIMS – eight years after explosive feud which saw popstar claim rival tried to ‘kill her career’
This week pop star Sabrina Carpenter – known for her tongue-in-cheek innuendo lyrics – had fans wowed as she posed up a storm in sultry snaps for a SKIMS campaign.
But many were also baffled by the 24-year-old – who has been the supporting act for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour – making the choice to collaborate with Kim Kardashian‘s brand after the reality star’s notorious feud with the Midnights songstress.
And Sabrina isn’t the only one in Taylor’s celebrated girl-squad to have modelled for the brand recently.
Earlier this year, Lana Del Rey – who Taylor emotionally praised in her Grammy acceptance speech in February – teamed up with SKIMS for a Valentine’s Day campaign.
Elsewhere in November, Brittany Mahomes, known for her huddled up and enthusiastic appearances alongside the singer at Kansas City Chiefs games, also starred in a holiday-themed photoshoot for the shapewear company.
This week, pop star Sabrina Carpenter, known for her tongue-in-cheek innuendo lyrics, dazzled fans with sultry snaps for a SKIMS campaign. Even Taylor’s closest friend, Selena Gomez, who previously praised the brand in a now-deleted 2019 Instagram Story, appears to endorse the products.
The collaboration between SKIMS and Taylor’s inner circle comes at a time when Taylor and Kim’s relationship seems strained. However, according to branding expert Hayley Knight, it’s probable that these campaigns, in development for months, were known to Taylor beforehand.
Knight, co-founder and Director of Communications at BE YELLOW, elaborated, “It might be surprising that Taylor’s besties, including Lana Del Ray, Sabrina Carpenter, and Brittany Mahomes, have featured in individual adverts for SKIMS. These campaigns have stirred fan discussions, with many pondering Taylor’s stance.”
She continued, “Given Taylor’s history of addressing conflicts through her music, it’s reasonable to assume that if she objected to any of these campaigns, we would have heard about it by now, or at least seen some reaction.”
“But the reality is that these campaigns would have been in motion for months, likely strategized by Kris Jenner, and possibly discussed with Taylor by her friends,” Knight added.
Regarding Kim’s potential motives in relation to Taylor, Knight remarked, “It’s unclear whether Kim is attempting to mend fences with Taylor or extend an olive branch, although it’s a possibility.”
She emphasized that the focus should remain on the campaigns themselves, which have been meticulously executed.
But many were also baffled by the 24-year-old – who has been the supporting act for Taylor Swift’s Eras tour – making the choice to collaborate with Kim Kardashian ‘s brand. Taylor and Sabrina in September
Earlier this year, Lana Del Rey – who Taylor emotionally praised in her Grammy acceptance speech in February – teamed up with SKIMS for a Valentine’s Day campaign
In January, Lana Del Rey, 38, donned a satin blue and lace bodysuit as she posed seductively inside a giant heart for SKIMS. Pictured with Taylor in February
The campaigns are not only beautifully feminine but also feminist in nature. Each woman featured possesses immense selling power and relevance, making them ideal choices for the brand, particularly one known for impactful collaborations and ambassadorships.
Furthermore, all three women—Brittany, Lana, and Sabrina—are powerful, assertive, and successful in their own right, characteristics that shine through in the adverts.
It’s likely that both Kim and Taylor recognize this, and Taylor likely doesn’t have much say in their decision to participate beyond offering her opinion. It’s probable that Taylor simply wants to see her friends succeed in their respective endeavors.
Moreover, the campaigns are perfectly aligned with each individual’s brand identity. Brittany’s family-centric Christmas theme, Lana’s Hollywood Glamour Valentine’s Day vibe, and Sabrina Carpenter’s fun, 90s-themed campaign ahead of her Coachella performance all resonate with their audiences.
Kim’s strategic prowess is evident in the design and execution of these campaigns, which prioritize the models and their brands. By selecting these particular individuals, Kim taps into Taylor’s audience, generating conversation and engagement with the brand.
Ultimately, this benefits Taylor as well, as all publicity, even in situations like these, can positively impact her career.
In December, Taylor openly criticized Kim for psychologically targeting her and driving her into seclusion during their ongoing feud. The conflict began when Kanye included vulgar lyrics about Taylor in a 2016 song, claiming she consented to the reference. However, Kim released a recorded phone call between Kanye and Taylor, which Taylor alleged was edited to portray her falsely.
This public fallout significantly impacted Taylor’s well-being, leading her to move to a foreign country and isolate herself for a year. The ordeal left her feeling psychologically vulnerable and distrustful of others.
Despite the challenges she faced, Taylor’s career continued to flourish, while some of her adversaries, including Kanye, encountered setbacks such as losing endorsement deals due to controversial remarks.
Throughout this ordeal, Taylor’s resilience and success have remained unwavering, demonstrating her ability to overcome adversity and thrive in the face of challenges.
Elsewhere in November, Brittany Mahomes, known for her huddled up and enthusiastic appearances alongside the singer at Kansas City Chiefs games, also starred in a holiday-themed photoshoot for the shapewear company
Pictured: Taylor and Brittany during an NFL AFC division playoff football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs in January
Elaborating on how life in the limelight can be delicate, Taylor added: ‘Nothing is permanent. So I’m very careful to be grateful every second that I get to be doing this at this level, because I’ve had it taken away from me before.
‘There is one thing I’ve learned: My response to anything that happens, good or bad, is to keep making things. Keep making art.’
However she took another swing at Kardashian, West, and anyone else who she believes has tried to stifle her success, remarking: ‘Trash takes itself out every single time.’
‘But I’ve also learned there’s no point in actively trying to quote unquote defeat your enemies,’ she said. ‘Trash takes itself out every single time.’
But while Taylor doesn’t appear to have thawed at the feud, Kim has been starring some of the singer’s nearest and dearest within months of each other in huge campaigns for her brand.
Yesterday Sabrina sent temperatures soaring as the latest celeb to model for SKIMS.
The snaps depicted the musician hanging out in her bedroom, strewn with books and decorated with celebrity posters, as she chatted with a friend on a landline phone and listened to her portable CD player.
But Swifites have been quick to slam the Feather singer for the collaboration, with some taking to social media to admit it ‘doesn’t sit right with them’ and claiming they’re ‘disappointed’ by the young star’s choice.
Swifites have been quick to slam the Feather singer for the collaboration, with some taking to social media to admit it ‘doesn’t sit right with them’
Just last month, Sabrina reminisced about her time during it, after serving as opener for the singer’s concerts in Latin America, Australia and Singapore. Pictured in Melbourne in February
The move from Sabrina came amid a blooming friendship between herself and Taylor, as the pair have bonded over the Eras tour.
Just last month, Sabrina reminisced about her time during it, after serving as opener for the singer’s concerts in Latin America, Australia and Singapore.
She gushed over how ‘very honored’ she felt to be a part of the experience and expressed her gratitude to Taylor in an Instagram post.
She included a throwback photo of her and Swift visiting Sydney Zoo together in Australia.
‘That’s a wrap for us on the eras tour. Sitting at home reflecting on what a whirlwind this was and how very honored I feel to have been part of it,’ she wrote.
‘I want to thank every crowd for being so welcoming and generous to us and making some of the most impressive friendship bracelets I’ve ever received.’
She went on to give ‘a huge thank you to the incredible crew for being so hardworking and talented,’ before turning her attention to the Wildest Dreams superstar by offering her ‘the most thank you’s I’ve ever thank you’ to Taylor.’
Pictured: Taylor, Brittany, and Ashley Avignone cheer after a Kansas City Chiefs touchdown in December
Both Brittany Mahomes, 28, and Ice Spice, 24, have too been in campaigns and continue to accompany the singer and her girl squad to events. Ice Spice pictured at the Super Bowl with Taylor
Ice Spice and Taylor pictured sitting together at the 2023 Video Music Awards back in September
Pictured: Ice Spice and Taylor performing onstage during the Eras tour in New Jersey, in May 2023
‘I feel so lucky to witness the magic that is you and this tour,’ Sabrina added in a personal shoutout to Taylor, ‘there is truly no one like you and there never will be! i love you with all my heart and i will cherish this taybrina era (and all the eras) till the end of time.’
Meanwhile, Sabrina is far from being the first of Taylor’s friends to have collaborated with the brand.
In January, Lana Del Rey, 38, donned a satin blue and lace bodysuit as she posed seductively inside a giant heart with her hands clothed in gloves and a duo of matching bows in her hair for a SKIMS shoot.
Kim is a huge fan of Lana’s song Young and Beautiful, and the track was performed by a brass brand when her now ex-husband Ye popped the question in 2013.
She even performed at Kim and Kanye’s rehearsal dinner, singing her tracks Blue Jeans, Young and Beautiful, and Summertime Sadness inside the Palace of Versailles, according to W Magazine.
Speaking with Vogue, Lana revealed her shoot with SKIMS came to be after she asked about obtaining the sold-out Swarovski dresses the brand was selling.
Coincidentally, SKIMS was also interested in working with her.
‘It was kind of a cool coincidence. I actually had asked a mutual friend [of Kim and I’s], Tracey Cunningham, if there was any way we could get one of the Swarovski [SKIMS] dresses that had sold out; At the same time, her friend Tracy Romulus asked if I’d be interested in doing a campaign. So it all happened at the exact same minute, which I took as a serendipitous sign. And I said, ‘Yeah, absolutely.’ I didn’t really hesitate. Me and my girlfriends were pretty excited, actually.’
And it would seem even Taylor’s closest bestie Selena Gomez – who in 2019 was full of compliments for the brand in an Instagram Story she put up but later deleted – is a fan of the products
Pictured: Selena and Taylor pictured chatting up a storm at the Golden Globe Awards in January
Selena and Taylor huddle and pose together during the VMAs in January. The pair are known to be close friends
Taylor’s positive remarks about Kim’s brand, SKIMS, indicate that there is no animosity between them. She appreciates the success of the brand and enjoys wearing its basics regularly, noting its evolution from a niche to a mainstream brand embraced by her sister and friends.
Furthermore, Taylor’s relationship with Lana Del Rey remains strong, as evidenced by her heartfelt shout-out to Lana during her acceptance speech at the Grammys. Taylor praised Lana’s influence on female artists and expressed gratitude for their friendship, dispelling any notion of tension between them.
Similarly, Taylor’s friendships with other stars who have modeled for SKIMS, such as Brittany Mahomes and Ice Spice, remain unaffected by any underlying feuds. Both continue to accompany Taylor and her squad to events, demonstrating their ongoing camaraderie.
The feud between Taylor, Kim, and Kanye dates back to 2009 when Kanye infamously interrupted Taylor’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. Despite attempts to reconcile, tensions resurfaced in 2015 when Kanye humiliated Taylor once again at the VMAs. Despite occasional jests between them, the underlying tension persists.
Taylor’s feud with Kim and Kanye had been bubbling to the surface as early as 2009, seemingly out of the blue, when 19-year-old Taylor was at the MTV Video Music Awards, accepting the Best Female Video award for You Belong with Me
But the tension only continued when the father-of-four humiliated the star once again at the VMAs in 2015. Taylor pictured with Kim at the award show
However, Taylor later announced that his statement truly irked her, as he made out in public that it was for ratings, but in private, asked her to be on stage with him as it would ‘mean so much.’
Taylor later told Rolling Stone: ‘I’m standing in the audience with my arm around his wife, and this chill ran through my body. I realized he is so two-faced.
‘That he wants to be nice to me behind the scenes, but then he wants to look cool, get up in front of everyone and talk s**t. And I was so upset.’
By February 2016 the tensions reached an explosive boiling point after Kanye referenced Taylor in the lyrics of his hit, Famous.
Taylor took offense at the rapper’s lyric: ‘For all my South Side n****s that know me best / I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / Why? I made that b***h famous.’
The accompanying music video also depicted a naked Taylor lying in his bed next to him – along with a whole host of other celebrities – with nude Kim on the other side.
Kanye defended the line, claiming he had a conversation with Taylor about the lyrics in question ahead of time, which she denied.
Taylor continued to accuse Kanye of lying about asking her permission to reference her in his lyrics which prompted Kim to release a partial recording of the call in question.
‘I’m really glad you had the respect to call me that and tell me that as a friend, about the song. It’s just a really cool thing to do, and a really good show of friendship,’ Taylor is heard saying.
Taylor continued to accuse Kanye of lying about asking her permission to reference her in his lyrics which prompted Kim to release a partial recording of the call in question. Kanye and Taylor at the VMAs in 2015
The feud has continued to rumble on ever since – with veiled jibes being made on both sides of the divide. Taylor, Kim and Kanye in 2015
Kim said she let time diffuse the matter, rather than hashing things out through a conversation. Pictured last year
Taylor hit back by claiming that although Kanye spoke through some aspects of the lyrics, she did not consent to being referred to as a ‘b***h.’
The feud has continued to rumble on ever since – with veiled jibes being made on both sides of the divide.
However, more recently, Kim appeared to issue an update during a 2019 appearance on E! talk show alongside sisters Khloe and Kourtney.
Host Andy Cohen oversaw a game of called Squash That Beef in which the reality star dismissed the idea of any lingering tension between her and the Reputation singer.
‘Over it,’ she told Cohen of the feud.
Kim said she let time diffuse the matter, rather than hashing things out through a conversation.
Asked if the pair have spoken, she told Andy: ‘No. I feel like we’ve all moved on.’
Similarly, in 2022 Kim sat down for an interview and was asked what her favorite Taylor Swift song was, to which she responded: ‘I really like a lot of her songs. They’re all super cute and catchy. I’d have to look in my phone to get a name.’
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