Taylor Swift has rewritten the controversial lyric in Better Than Revenge, as she releases Speak Now (Taylor’s Version).
The singer has already been making headlines internationally this week because of her Eras Tour announcement, and now her lyrics are causing a stir on social media.
The original version of Better Than Revenge, released in 2010, included the lyric “she’s better known for the things that she does on the mattress,” which is at odds with Swift’s feminist image today.
In 2014, she told The Guardian: “I was 18 when I wrote that. That’s the age you are when you think someone can actually take your boyfriend. Then you grow up and realise no one can take someone from you if they don’t want to leave.”
In Better Than Revenge (2023), the lyric has been replaced with the following line: “He was a moth to the flame, she was holding the matches.”
The song has been long-rumoured to be about actress Camilla Belle, who dated Joe Jonas shortly after he dated Swift. So who is the actress allegedly at the centre of the song?
Who is Camilla Belle?
Camilla Belle, 36, is an American and Brazilian actress.
She is known for films like Practical Magic (1998), When a Stranger Calls (2006), Push (2009), and 10,000 BC (2008).
Belle began her career as a child actress, appearing in A Little Princess (2005) and The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). She also appeared in a number of TV adverts.
More recently, she has appeared in Law and Order: Organised Crime (2022), Carter (2022), and 10 Truths About Love (2022).
She reportedly dated Joe Jonas between 2008 and 2009, while Swift dated Jonas earlier in 2008. Belle was 22 and Jonas was 19 at the time.
In 2009, the Jonas Brothers released the song Much Better, which is believed to be about Belle.
Has Camilla Belle commented on Taylor Swift?
Belle has seemingly commented on Swift a couple of times in the past.
In 2015, amid a feud between Swift and Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry tweeted: “Finding it ironic to parade the pit women against other women argument about as one unmeasurably capitalises on the takedown of a woman…”
@katyperry Couldn't have said it better...
— Camilla Belle (@CamillaBelle) July 23, 2015
Belle responded to Perry and said: “Couldn’t have said it better…”
#quoteoftheday #HappyMonday #felizsegunda pic.twitter.com/c7keaidXG5
— Camilla Belle (@CamillaBelle) July 18, 2016
In 2016, amid Swift’s feud with Kanye West, Belle tweeted: "No need for revenge. Just sit back and wait.
"Those who hurt you will eventually screw up themselves and if you’re lucky, God will let you watch.”
