Zara Larsson said in an interview with The Guardian that playing the chart game is dead to her and no one cares about charts except industry people and maybe Taylor Swift fans. This comment about Taylor Swift fans sparked outrage on social media, with many fans expressing disappointment and criticism online. Larsson later clarified her comments on her Instagram Story, saying she meant Taylor Swift is the best at playing the chart game, attempting to defuse the controversy.
Separately, Larsson mocked Justin Bieber's Coachella performance in a TikTok video, captioning it with phrases suggesting a casual, low-effort vibe. Justin Bieber's Coachella performance was widely panned due to lack of production and effort, making Larsson's mockery resonate with some viewers. In unrelated pop culture drama, Zara McDermott is struggling to cope with online abuse from One Direction fans after going public with her relationship with Louis Tomlinson.
Playing the chart game is so dead to me. No one's looking at the charts but industry people and maybe Taylor Swift fans.
McDermott was trolled by Louis Tomlinson's fans after posting a snap from Milan where he was performing, leading to negative comments and harassment. A source told The Sun that McDermott can't win with trolls, being accused of either following Louis around or not being supportive enough, highlighting the challenges of public relationships. Louis Tomlinson is supportive of Zara McDermott, according to insiders, which may help her navigate the online abuse.
Meanwhile, Zara Larsson is on her first major tour in the USA, marking a significant career milestone. A TikTok user posted a video from Zara Larsson's concert in Los Angeles with text saying she didn't know she was pregnant there but her baby heard 'Midnight Sun' before she had an abortion, sparking further controversy. Zara Larsson commented on the TikTok video, writing a response that referenced her performance and the user's post, adding to the debate.
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. And also...I care!!! Hihi. Best believe I will try to release at least two diffrent covers for my psychical on my next project after midnight sun. 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 not in a position to influence the charts :( lol :( 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
Larsson responded to the criticism in a TikTok video, questioning why abortion is only considered okay when it's a tough decision, addressing broader societal attitudes. These incidents illustrate how social media can amplify controversies for public figures, with Larsson and McDermott facing backlash over personal and professional comments.
Zara can’t win with the trolls. She’s either accused of ‘following’ Louis around the world or is slated for not being a supportive enough girlfriend. It’s like she’s damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
I killed that performance and then you killed it after the performance.
Why do you think abortion is only okay when it's a very tough decision, when it's something women have to struggle to get through, when it's emotionally or physically painful? Why is it morally better than someone who just wants to have an abortion, regardless of reason?
If you can joke about things that are a 'serious subject', it also becomes something you can talk about. It doesn't need to be taboo or some terrible thing women do.