When Miley Cyrus dropped her empowering breakup anthem “Flowers” in January 2023, fans immediately began to speculate that the song was a direct response to her former husband, Liam Hemsworth. The timing was suspicious — the single was released on Hemsworth’s birthday, January 13 — and the lyrics seemed to allude to moments from their past. But was it all just a coincidence, or did Miley craft a chart-topping hit with her ex in mind?
A Song That Sparked a Frenzy
Upon its release, “Flowers” lit the internet on fire. From TikTok to Twitter, fans began dissecting the song for hidden meanings and potential references to Hemsworth. The speculation was fueled by more than just the birthday release date.
The song’s lyrics appeared to call back to key moments in Miley and Liam’s relationship, especially the 2018 California wildfire that destroyed their shared home.
In the song, Cyrus sings, “Built a home and watched it burn.” Many fans linked this line to the Malibu house the couple lost in the Woolsey Fire. The imagery was raw and powerful, suggesting heartbreak and loss. To some, it felt too specific to be a coincidence.
And then there was the music video.
In the visuals for “Flowers,” Cyrus struts confidently through Los Angeles wearing a black tuxedo. Fans were quick to point out the resemblance to an outfit Hemsworth wore on a red carpet years prior.
There’s even a moment in the video where Miley dances in a way eerily similar to a clip of her playfully twerking on Hemsworth during a public appearance — a moment he appeared uncomfortable with at the time. The internet wasted no time stitching the comparisons together.
Theories grew even wilder when some viewers claimed the house featured in the video was the same location where Hemsworth allegedly had extramarital affairs — a rumor that has never been substantiated but fed the firestorm of online gossip.
Miley’s Take: It’s Not That Deep
But according to Cyrus herself, fans may be reading too much into it.
In a British Vogue cover story, Miley finally addressed the speculation — or rather, she shrugged it off.
“I never need to be a master at the craft of tricking an audience,” she told the magazine. “It will set itself on fire all by itself.”
That casual response speaks volumes. Rather than confirming or denying the Liam Hemsworth theories, Miley pointed out that the public is more than capable of spinning their own narratives. If fans want to believe “Flowers” is about her ex, they will — regardless of her intent.
And as for that now-famous release date?
Miley has yet to say whether it was intentional or a happy accident. Still, the idea of dropping a breakup anthem on your ex’s birthday does sound like something a pop icon with a sense of humor might do. Whether it was meant as a jab or just good PR, it worked. “Flowers” became a viral sensation almost overnight.
From Heartbreak to Empowerment
At its core, “Flowers” isn’t just about heartbreak — it’s about healing. It’s about self-love and finding power in independence. That’s the message Miley chose to focus on when asked about the song’s meaning.
Originally, the track had a much sadder tone. “The chorus was originally: ‘I can buy myself flowers, write my name in the sand, but I can’t love me better than you can,’” she told Vogue. It was a softer, more melancholic version, reminiscent of a 1950s ballad.
But somewhere along the way, Miley flipped the narrative. Instead of longing for a lost love, she reclaimed her worth. “The song is a little fake it till you make it,” she said. “Which I’m a big fan of.”
That shift in tone is what made “Flowers” resonate with so many people. It’s not just a breakup song — it’s an anthem for anyone who’s picked up the pieces and learned to love themselves again.
The Success of “Flowers”
Whether or not the song was inspired by Liam, one thing is clear: “Flowers” was a massive hit.
It broke streaming records almost instantly. Within just 112 days, it became the fastest song in Spotify history to reach one billion streams. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — Cyrus’s second chart-topping single after “Wrecking Ball” — and held that position for eight non-consecutive weeks. The song also hit No. 1 in over 40 countries worldwide.
Critics praised it. Fans played it on repeat. And it became one of the defining breakup anthems of its generation.
For Miley, “Flowers” marked a new chapter in her evolution as an artist. Gone were the days of twerking teddy bears and Bangerz-era chaos. This was a woman in control of her story — reflective, raw, and stronger than ever.
A Complicated Love Story
Miley and Liam’s relationship has always fascinated the public. The pair met in 2009 while filming The Last Song, and their chemistry quickly sparked a real-life romance. Over the next decade, they were on and off more times than anyone could count, eventually marrying in 2018.
But the marriage was short-lived. By August 2019, they had announced their separation, citing irreconcilable differences. The split was messy, public, and painful — especially for fans who had watched them grow up together.
Since then, both Miley and Liam have moved on, at least publicly. Hemsworth has kept a relatively low profile, while Cyrus has continued evolving her music and image.
So… Did She Write It About Him?
The short answer? Maybe. But it’s not the full story.
Miley has never explicitly confirmed that “Flowers” is about Liam Hemsworth. She’s hinted at layers of meaning, sure, but she’s also been quick to remind fans that not everything is autobiographical. Sometimes a song is just a song — and sometimes it’s also a subtle clapback dressed up as a self-love anthem.
The truth likely lies somewhere in between. There’s no denying that Miley and Liam’s history influenced her artistry. But “Flowers” is more than just a breakup track about an ex — it’s a song that empowers listeners to find peace after heartbreak, to rediscover joy, and to buy themselves the damn flowers.
And that’s a message everyone can relate to — Liam or no Liam.
