Miley Cyrus is once again making headlines—this time not for her music or bold fashion, but for some fresh ink. Despite publicly admitting she regrets the majority of her tattoos, the Grammy-winning singer recently added another to her extensive collection.

On Monday, Cyrus’ tattoo artist posted photos of her latest tattoo on Instagram: a small, minimalist script that reads “Muse.” The word is inked delicately on her upper back, just below her right shoulder. The simple yet elegant design instantly caught fans' attention—and their speculation.

The artist captioned the carousel of images with admiration, writing:
“Queen @mileycyrus — grateful to have met such a G.”

The new tattoo sparked immediate conversation online, with many fans theorizing that the word “Muse” is a heartfelt nod to her mother, Tish Cyrus. The theory doesn’t come out of thin air. In April, Miley posted a deeply personal clip on Instagram featuring her private performance of End of the World at Los Angeles’ iconic Chateau Marmont. In that post, she gave a special shoutout to her mom, writing:

“The secret of a song before it's released is such a sacred time... I am honoured today to have it out in the world hopefully bringing some joy, but on this night I was singing only to the person I wrote it for. My muse, my mom.”

The emotional tribute had fans tearing up, and it appears the “Muse” tattoo may be a permanent extension of that moment.

A Deep Bond With Her Mother

Miley has always shared a strong bond with her mother, who’s not only been a supportive presence throughout her career but also someone she’s publicly praised for years. Whether it's appearing at award shows together, celebrating family milestones, or supporting each other during tough times, Miley and Tish’s relationship is clearly built on mutual respect and affection.

This tattoo may be small in size, but its significance seems huge. Unlike many of her previous tattoos—some of which she now regrets—this one carries an emotional weight that Miley appears to truly cherish.

Tattoo Regrets: A Surprising Confession

Interestingly, just a day before the new ink made its Instagram debut, Cyrus sat down for an interview with The New York Times. When asked about a mistake she still thinks about, she gave a brutally honest answer:

“Eighty percent of my tattoos.”

That’s a bold confession from someone known for her unapologetic, free-spirited attitude. While Miley has often embraced her body art as part of her identity, this candid moment revealed a more reflective side. It’s not that she regrets having tattoos entirely—it’s that, like many people, her tastes have changed, and some of the ink she once loved may no longer represent who she is today.

Still, the “Muse” tattoo appears to be a meaningful exception.

A History of Expressive Tattoos

Over the years, Miley has accumulated over 50 tattoos, each one telling a story—though some stories may have aged better than others. Her body is practically a journal, inked with everything from tributes to her pets, lyrics, pop culture references, and symbols of self-discovery.

Among the most well-known:

  • A dreamcatcher on her ribs

  • The words “Love Never Dies” on her arm

  • A tribute to her pufferfish named Pablow

  • Matching tattoos with close friends and fellow celebrities

Whether you love or hate tattoos, you can’t deny that Miley uses hers as a canvas for emotion and memory.

A Thoughtful Evolution

This latest piece suggests that Miley may be entering a new chapter in how she chooses to express herself—one where her tattoos are not just spontaneous acts of rebellion or fun, but deeply considered symbols of connection and love.

While many celebrities shy away from admitting they regret anything they've done, especially something as permanent as a tattoo, Miley's honesty is refreshing. She’s not afraid to say, "Yeah, I wouldn’t do that again," while still embracing the things that truly matter.

And if “Muse” is truly dedicated to her mother, then it may very well be among the few tattoos she never regrets.