Miley Cyrus Debuts New Tattoo Seemingly Inspired By Her Split From Liam Hemsworth at the VMAs

She’s got some new ink. Miley Cyrus performed an emotional rendition of her new song, “Slide Away,” at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards and debuted a new tattoo during the number. The new body art appears to be inspired by her split from her now-estranged husband, Liam Hemsworth. The tattoo reads, “My head was feeling scared, but my heart was feeling free” and is a lyric from the Pixies’ song “The Thing.” It was was done by celebrity tattoo artist Winter Stone.

Less than a year after Miley, 26, and Liam, 29, got married, the couple announced they had called it quits in early August. A representative for Miley confirmed the breakup in a statement to People. “Liam and Miley have agreed to separate at this time,” the statement read. “Ever-evolving, changing as partners and individuals, they have decided this is what’s best while they both focus on themselves and careers. They still remain dedicated parents to all of their animals they share while lovingly taking this time apart. Please respect their process and privacy.”

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However, nearly two weeks after news of the split broke, In Touch confirmed that Liam filed for divorce. Around the same time, Miley was caught kissing someone new — Kaitlynn Carter. Kaitlynn, 30, was also spotted with Miley at the VMAs and during rehearsal for her performance. So it doesn’t seem like a reconciliation is in the cards for Liam and Miley.

The new ink was especially appropriate to show off at the awards show because it seems to directly reference the singer’s separation from her spouse. “Move on, we’re not 17 / I’m not who I used to be,” Miley sings at one point during the tune. “You said that everything changed / You’re right I’m grown now.” And in the wake of their breakup, her emotional performance of the number was especially moving.

Miley actually has several tattoos, and also got a new tattoo that seemed to be inspired by her trip with Italy with Kaitlynn just days before this big performance. Apparently, when Miley is going through it, she gets some new ink to help process and remember.