Calvin Harris criticized ex-girlfriend Taylor Swift for making him "look bad" after confirming her involvement in his Rihanna collaboration “This Is What You Came For.”
Recent reports suggested Taylor was a creative force behind the DJ's latest hit, and on Wednesday the ongoing rumors set off a social media buzz when sources revealed she had come up with the track while dating Calvin, and even recorded an early demo on her phone.
According to TMZ, the former couple decided to keep her role under wraps amid fears it would overshadow the song's release. The Scottish producer invited his frequent collaborator Rihanna to record the vocals, while Taylor kept the publishing rights under a pseudonym, Nils Sjoberg.
However, Taylor and Calvin's romance allegedly began unraveling on the day of the single's release on April 29, after the DJ told radio host Ryan Seacrest he couldn't see the pair collaborating anytime soon. The denial is said to have been the "breaking point in the relationship," and the pair split in late May.
A representative from Swift's management team has since confirmed the "Shake It Off" hitmaker penned the track, and the comment has prompted Calvin, real name Adam Wiles, to speak out about his ex's involvement, insisting he wasn't the one who wanted to keep her contributions a secret.
He took to Twitter on Wednesday to share a link to an article about the Swift statement, and began by praising the 26-year-old for her work.
"And she sings on a little bit of it too..." he stated. "Amazing lyric writer and she smashed it as usual.
And she sings on a little bit of it too ????
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) July 13, 2016
Amazing lyric writer and she smashed it as usual https://t.co/vW3yGOIJit
"I wrote the music, produced the song, arranged it and cut the vocals though. And initially she wanted it kept secret, hence the pseudonym."
I wrote the music, produced the song, arranged it and cut the vocals though. And initially she wanted it kept secret, hence the pseudonym
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) July 13, 2016
Calvin then expressed his disappointment in Swift's publicists, who appear to have spun the story to discredit him, adding, "Hurtful to me at this point that her and her team would go so far out of their way to try and make ME look bad at this stage though."
Hurtful to me at this point that her and her team would go so far out of their way to try and make ME look bad at this stage though ????
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) July 13, 2016
He also touched on Taylor's romance with Thor actor Tom Hiddleston, who she began dating just days after parting ways with Calvin, and took a swipe at the singer for attempting to "bury" him, like Katy Perry, her pop nemesis.
I figure if you're happy in your new relationship you should focus on that instead of trying to tear your ex bf down for something to do
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) July 13, 2016
"I figure if you're happy in your new relationship you should focus on that instead of trying to tear your ex bf down for something to do," the DJ continued. "I know you're off tour and you need someone new to try and bury like Katy ETC but I'm not that guy, sorry. I won't allow it."
I know you're off tour and you need someone new to try and bury like Katy ETC but I'm not that guy, sorry. I won't allow it
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) July 13, 2016
He signed off on a more complimentary note, concluding, "Please focus on the positive aspects of YOUR life because you've earned a great one."
Please focus on the positive aspects of YOUR life because you've earned a great one
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) July 13, 2016
God bless everyone have a beautiful day
— Calvin Harris (@CalvinHarris) July 13, 2016
Katy has since responded to Calvin’s tweet by replying with a sassy GIF of U.S. Democratic Party Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) July 13, 2016
The "Roar" singer also re-tweeted a post she sent out in May 2015, writing, "Time, the ultimate truth teller."
Time, the ultimate truth teller.
— KATY PERRY (@katyperry) May 9, 2015