(What's) Better Than Revenge? · Taylor Swift [EN]

ACT I - PT. I

Entertainment Tonight

26 October 2010

Who is 'Better Than Revenge' really about? A detailed analysis of Taylor Swift's new song

With the release of Taylor Swift's highly anticipated third studio album, Speak Now, fans and critics alike are commenting on one track in particular: 'Better Than Revenge'. Known for her deeply personal compositions, Swift has once again left listeners speculating about the true inspiration behind her lyrics. So who is the mysterious actress that Swift refers to in the song? Let's analyse the timeline and uncover the truth.

Taylor and Joe: A swift Love Story

To understand the whole story, let's rewind to 2008. Taylor Swift and Joe Jonas started dating in the summer of 2008, making headlines as a young power couple. However, their relationship came to a shocking end in October 2008, when Joe broke up with Taylor in a now infamous 27-second phone call. Swift went public about the break-up on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, expressing her hurt and frustration.

In comes Charlie Wilkerson

Shortly after their relationship ended, Joe Jonas began dating actress Charlotte Wilkerson. Born in LA in 1989, Wilkerson was just beginning to make a name for herself in Hollywood at the time. Their relationship, although brief, sparked considerable media interest, especially after Joe allegedly released the song "Much Better" with his brothers about Charlie. In the song, Joe makes several veiled references to his past with Taylor, contrasting it with his then new flame.

Check out a snippet of the Jonas Brothers' track:
'I get a rep for breakin' hearts
Now I'm done with superstars
And all the tears on her guitar
I'm not bitter
But now I see
Everything I'd ever need
Is the girl in front of me now
She's much better'

However, Jonas and Wilkerson's romance was short-lived, lasting just four months. Despite their fleeting time together, Wilkerson found herself at the centre of media attention, with fans and tabloids eager to know more about the woman who had apparently replaced Swift.

Taylor decides to 'Speak Now'

Let's fast forward to the release of Speak Now, now in October 2010. Among the tracks, 'Better Than Revenge' stood out for its biting lyrics and the overt message of a betrayed woman seeking retaliation. Lyrics like 'She's not a saint, and she's not what you think, she's an actress / She's better known for the things that she does on the mattress' left little to the imagination about the target of Swift's wrath. Fans quickly connected the dots to Charlie Wilkerson, speculating that the song was a direct rebuke to her.

Who is the mystery actress?

Charlie Wilkerson's involvement in the Taylor-Joe drama was relatively low-key at the time, but the release of 'Better Than Revenge' brought her back into the spotlight. As Taylor's fans investigate, more details about Charlie's career and personal life come to light — such as the fact that she actually went to prep school (as the blonde bitingly points out, 'They don't teach you that in prep school so it's up to me / but no amount of vintage dresses gives you dignity'). To be precise, the actress attended the Marlborough School, an all-girls boarding school in Los Angeles with an annual tuition fee of US$49,950.

Charlie began acting at the age of 16 and quickly made a name for herself with roles in Prom Night (2008) and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist (2008). Her recurring roles in the TV shows Veronica Mars and Gossip Girl established her as a promising young actress in Hollywood. Despite her rapid rise, Charlie has managed to keep much of her personal life private, especially after the great repercussions of her brief relationship with Joe Jonas.