More to the story? Miley Cyrus’ song, “Flowers,” garnered a heavy amount of attention. Avid fans strongly believe the lyrics are about her ex-husband, Liam Hemsworth — especially since the track was released on January 13, 2023, which is also Liam’s birthday. Other fans are convinced that the lyrics of the chorus on “Flowers” is a direct response to Bruno Mars‘ single, “When I Was Your Man.” Even Miley’s sister Brandi Cyrus weighed in on the “truth” behind the lyrics. Aside from her, even Chris Hemsworth’s wife, Elsa Pataky, spoke her piece about the hit single. 

Is Miley Cyrus’ Song ‘Flowers’ About Liam Hemsworth?

After the “Midnight Sky” artist released “Flowers” and its accompanying music video, fans took to social media to weigh in on several theories — one based on the location Miley chose to shoot the music video.

“The house where the music video for Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ was recorded was previously used by Liam Hemsworth to cheat on Miley with more than 14 women while they were married,” one Twitter user wrote. 

While it’s unclear where this rumored started, Miley initially denied rumors that infidelity led to their breakup in August 2019 via Twitter, shortly after the two announced their split.

“I can admit to a lot of things, but I refuse to admit that my marriage ended because of cheating,” she tweeted at the time. “Liam and I have been together for a decade. I’ve said it before & it remains true, I love Liam and always will.

Another circulating claim is that the Tennessee native wore the same suit that Liam wore to the April 2019 Avengers: Endgame premiere in her music video. Viewers believe the Australia native told his then-wife to “behave” before she playfully pushed him away in a viral video taken on the red carpet at the time. 

“Right now, I’m feeling like that clip of Miley Cyrus [and] Liam Hemsworth where he tells her to behave for once, [and] she basically tells him to f—k off [and] they break up shortly after. If u get what I mean,” one Twitter user wrote, whereas another chimed claimed Miley, “shot the video in the house he used to cheat on her multiple times and used the suit he used when he told her to behave.” 

Miley Cyrus 'Loved' Liam Hemsworth: 'Malibu' Anniversary
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

Fans also unearthed an old video of Liam with his Hunger Games costar Jennifer Lawrence admitting that she once shared a brief kiss with him. Perhaps coincidentally, Miley wears a gold dress in her music video that is strikingly similar to the gown Jennifer wore to the 2012 Hunger Games premiere in Los Angeles. 

Two months after the song was released, Liam’s sister-in-law, Elsa, told Hola! that while she likes “Flowers,” she wasn’t going to comment on Liam and Miley’s split. 

“It’s a very old topic for us,” she explained. “If someone should talk it should be Liam, but I think she [Cyrus] can do what she wants.”

When answering whether she and Miley have remained in contact with each other, Elsa noted, “Not anymore because we live in different countries, and it’s difficult.” 

What Is the Story Behind Miley Cyrus’ Song ‘Flowers’?

While the Hannah Montana alum has not publicly addressed the speculation, her sister Brandi Cyrus weighed in on the social media chatter during a January 20, 2023, interview on Wells Adams“Your Favorite Thing” podcast

“The song did come out on his birthday — was that on purpose? I don’t know,” the DJ teased. “Can’t say. Genius, though.”

Brandi then elaborated on the multiple fan theories, noting, “Then there was, ‘The suit she’s wearing is the suit Liam wore at the Avengers premiere, where he told her that she needed to behave for once. And so, this is a f—k you because she’s in the suit.’ Hilarious.”

“Then the other one was, ‘The house is the house where Liam used to take people [to] cheat on her with,’” the actress added. “The narratives are f—king hilarious, but it’s so great. The best PR that could ever happen because it gets people talking about the song on TikTok, and it’s everywhere. And it’s just so fun to watch it all play out. Miley fans, I love ya.” 

Nevertheless, Brandi emphasized that she is “not here to say that’s true and what’s not true.” 

“Only Miley knows the truth,” she concluded. 

Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ Song Story: Liam Hemsworth Rumors
Courtesy of YouTube/Vevo

The “Jaded” artist broke her silence on the meaning behind the single during a May 2023 interview with British Vogue. 

“I never need to be a master at the craft of tricking an audience,” she said in response to the fan speculation surrounding the lyrical inspiration. “It will set itself on fire all by itself.” 

Miley also revealed that the original chorus of the song had a gloomier meaning: “I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand, but I can’t love me better than you can.” 

“It used to be more, like, 1950s. The saddest song,” she added. “Like, ‘Sure, I can be my own lover, but you’re so much better.’” 

After reconstructing the single to have its present tempo and meaning, Miley concluded, “The song is a little fake it till you make it. Which I’m a big fan of.” 

Is ‘Flowers’ a Response to Bruno Mars’ Song ‘When I Was Your Man’?

Many fans also think Miley’s new track is a response to Bruno’s 2012 song “When I Was Your Man,” for a specific reason. 

“Just heard Miley Cyrus’ new song ‘Flowers’ and thought it kinda sounded like Bruno Mars’ ‘When I Was Your Man’ only to find out hers is low-key an answer back to Bruno’s song because her ex Liam Hemsworth used to sing the song to her???” one person tweeted

Brandi also touched on this theory in her podcast interview, gushing about how her sister’s fans “go hard in the paint” and “keep creating narrative after narrative.” 

“Like, every day I wake up to a new [theory],” she said. “The first one was something about this Bruno Mars song. They’re like, ‘Liam played the Bruno Mars song at their wedding! And this is a response to the Bruno Mars song.’ That one’s funny.”

The Last Song actress hasn’t responded to this rumor, but fans noticed that the lyrics of Miley’s “Flowers” chorus act as a response to the lyrics in Bruno’s “When I Was Your Man.”

“I should have bought you flowers, And held your hand,” read the lyrics in Bruno’s chorus. “Should have gave you all my hours, When I had the chance / Take you to every party ’cause all you wanted to do was dance / Now my baby’s dancing, But she’s dancing with another man.”

In comparison, the “Wrecking Ball” songstress sings the following lyrics in her track: “I can buy myself flowers / Write my name in the sand / Talk to myself for hours / Say things you don’t understand / I can take myself dancing / And I can hold my own hand / Yeah, I can love me better than you can.”

Has ‘Flowers’ Won Awards?

“Flowers” was nominated for four awards at the 2023 MTV Music Video Awards, which took place on September 12, 2023. The song competed in the Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop and Best Cinematography categories.

Additionally, Miley was up in the Best Editing for her song “River” and Album of the Year for Endless Summer Vacation. Unfortunately, she did not take home any of the awards that night.

However, Miley had a comeback at the 2024 Grammy Awards. She took home her first-ever Grammy for “Flowers,” winning Best Pop Solo Performance.

“There was a little boy that all he wanted for his birthday was a butterfly. So his parents gave him a butterfly net and he was so excited. He went outside out in the sun and started swinging and swinging,” Miley said in her acceptance speech. “But with no luck, he sat down on the ground, he finally let go and he surrendered. He was okay that he was not going to capture this beautiful butterfly. Right when he did is when the butterfly came and landed right on the tip of his nose. And this song, ‘Flowers,’ is my butterfly. Thank you.”

The song was also up for Song of the Year and Record of the Year, while Endless Summer Vacation was nominated for Album of the Year.

Miley also performed “Flowers” at the Grammys that night, and the crowd loved every second. She inserted some quips about ending her relationship and even teased the audience for acting like they didn’t know the song. All in all, it was a great night for the pop star.

What Happened Between Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth?

Miley and Liam dated on and off from 2009 to 2018 after meeting on the set of The Last Song. In December 2018, the duo tied the knot. However, they split less than one year later, finalizing their divorce in January 2020. 

When it comes to the reason behind their split, a source told People in March 2023 that Miley and Liam’s marriage was ill-fated. 

“She’s the healthiest and happiest she’s been in a long time,” the insider told the outlet. “Everyone was blaming her for the divorce and calling her this wild child, but that wasn’t fair. Their relationship and marriage was toxic, and she was heartbroken.”