THAT DRESS and 7 other references you may have missed in Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers'. 

Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers' was last year's song of the summer.

The self-love anthem was released in January 2023 ahead of her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation, and the song quickly became a global hit.

Cyrus performed 'Flowers' at the 2024 Grammy Awards after securing her first Grammy, giving a subtle nod to her ex-husband, actor Liam Hemsworth, with whom she was on-and-off for a decade. But the music video has more references than that.

From the gold dress to the house it was filmed in, here are all the hidden details in the song's music video.

Hint: One of these spicy references has recently made headlines and found Cyrus in the midst of a messy lawsuit.

1. A Bruno Mars connection.

The 'Flowers' chorus flips Bruno Mars' 'When I Was Your Man' on its head, as it was apparently the song Hemsworth dedicated to her at their wedding.

In 'When I Was Your Man', Mars sings: "I should have bought you flowers, and held your hand, 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."

While in 'Flowers', Cyrus says she can do all of that, on her own.

It's not the only song fans have linked to Cyrus. According to internet sleuths, 'Flowers' also samples Gloria Gaynor's breakup classic 'I Will Survive'.

Unfortunately for Cyrus, one of these two alleged references has now seen her being sued. And despite what it might seem, Mars is not the one suing her.

Temp Music Investments, who claim to own shares in the song, have filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Cyrus, accusing her of "intentionally copying" the song.

Tempo Music claimed that the similarities between the two songs "is undeniable based on the combination and number of similarities between the two recordings that Flowers would not exist without When I Was Your Man."

The lawsuit seeks damages "in an amount to be determined at trial," or the maximum of $150,000 per infringement.

While the outcome of the lawsuit is still up in the air, it seems Tempo Music is not only looking to be compensated financially, but have also requested that Cyrus be prohibited from distributing or performing her Grammy-winning hit.

2. The first verse is a nod to their Malibu home.

The song opens with Miley singing: "We were good, we were gold. Kind of dream that can't be sold. We were right, 'til we weren't. Built a home and watched it burn."

In 2018, Cyrus and Hemsworth's Malibu home burned down in the Woolsey Fires. Following the fire, the couple got engaged for the second time, married, and nine months later, split.

Completely devestated by the fires affecting my community. I am one of the lucky ones. My animals and LOVE OF MY LIFE made it out safely & that’s all that matters right now. My house no longer stands but the memories shared with family & friends stand strong. I am grateful for

— Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyrus) November 12, 2018

It’s been a heartbreaking few days. This is what’s left of my house. Love. Many people in Malibu and surrounding areas in California have lost their homes also and my heart goes out to everyone who was affected by these fires.

To help: https://t.co/YQCE1cLaej & @happyhippiefdn pic.twitter.com/vtLFytFmNw

— Liam Hemsworth (@LiamHemsworth) November 13, 2018

In a December 2020 interview on The Howard Stern Show, the singer shared how if the fire never happened, she’s not sure if she and Hemsworth would've ever married.

"Me being an intense person and not wanting to sit with it and not wanting to go, you know, 'What could be purposeful about this?' I just clung to what I had left of that house, which was me and him," she said.

3. The black suit she wore.

In the music video, Cyrus wears a black suit while dancing around the house.

And although a stretch, many fans are reporting that it's the same suit Hemsworth wore to the Avengers: Endgame premiere, where he supposedly asked the singer to "behave for once" after she pretended to lick him.

One Twitter user wrote: "I need someone to confirm that the suit jacket @MileyCyrus wears at the end of the FLOWERS [music video] is actually one of he who shall not be named's (sic)."

Meanwhile, others are posting side-by-side pics of the pop star and her former husband for comparison.

I need someone to confirm that the suit jacket @MileyCyrus wears at the end of the FLOWERS mv is actually one of he who shall not be named's 👀☕ pic.twitter.com/b7OhnI5n99

— Haley Marshall (@marshaley_) January 14, 2023

IS THAT LIAM’S SUIT JACKET?!?!!! pic.twitter.com/xpzDIOuBRF

— soupfan4lyfe (@emRaindrop) January 13, 2023

Although on closer inspection the suit jackets are different (check the lapels), it's an interesting outfit choice that could have been intentional.

4. A viral interview.

According to Billboard, Cyrus refers to a viral interview from 2019, right before the couple split up.

When attending the Vanity Fair Oscars after party together, Hemsworth and Cyrus were stopped to speak to Access Hollywood. The reporter praised the singer, but Hemsworth mistakenly assumed the compliment was for him.

"We’ve loved you for so long," the journalist told Cyrus.

Hemsworth responded with, "Thank you," while the reporter said, "Oh yeah, I’m not talking about you."

The Hunger Games actor rolled his eyes and smiled through the awkward moment.

Then when asked what a dance looked like between them, Cyrus responded by grinding on her husband.

"Don’t do it, don’t do it. Sweetheart, we’re on the carpet," he told her.

In a blink-and-you-miss-it moment in the 'Flowers' music video, Cyrus mimics the grinding motion, suggesting she's reclaiming the dance move for herself.

WAIT A MINUTE pic.twitter.com/YA76DVsz7T

— out of context hannah montana (@OCHannahMontana) January 4, 2023

5. A hint as to why they split.

In the bridge of the song, Cyrus sings: "I didn't wanna leave you, I didn't wanna fight. Started to cry, but then remembered I..."

There have been suggestions that line refers to the fallout of their relationship, something Cyrus addressed in her Howard Stern interview.

The singer shared that "there was too much conflict" in their relationship, which led to their split.

"When I come home, I want to be anchored by someone," she said. "I don't get off on drama or fighting."

6. The song was released on Liam Hemsworth's birthday.

Yep.

Cyrus released her break-up anthem on her ex's birthday, January 13. And it looks like she thought it through - releasing it on his birthday in Australia.

When posting the announcement on her socials, the singer listed the major cities, and what time the song would be released in each.

At the top of the list was Sydney, with the release date being January 13. However, when you get to LA — where she lives — it said the song would come out on January 12.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Miley Cyrus (@mileycyrus)

Only matters where your ex is going to hear it, right?

7. An alleged affair.

According to an unofficial source, Cyrus filmed her entire music video in the same house Hemsworth used to cheat on her with "14 women".

While the claim is entirely unchecked, it's gone viral on social media.

"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," Twitter account @ThePopTingz wrote.

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. pic.twitter.com/y6wGzWk9ll

— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) January 13, 2023

i love the fact that miley cyrus filmed her music video of flowers in the house he cheated on her in, released it on his birthday, wore the suit he told her to ‘behave’ in it AND flipped the song he dedicated to her at their wedding cuz BFFR women are absolutely powerful

— ur fav leo ♌︎ (@trappppsoullll) January 16, 2023

Others speculate the house is the Studio City home that Cyrus had purchased herself in 2011 as a symbol of her independence. Either way, it's clear that this filming location was NOT a coincidence.

8. That gold dress.

And the final hidden detail might be the biggest stretch, so take it with a grain of salt.

In the video, Cyrus wears a vintage gold dress from YSL's fall 1991 collection which features a draped hood, criss-cross waistline, and prominent cut-out.

Fans have speculated it's a reference to the gold dress Jennifer Lawrence wore to the Hunger Games premiere, insinuating Hemsworth cheated on her with his former co-star.

@putterjax Tell us Miley! Queen of shade #mileycyrus #flowers #liamhemsworth #jenniferlawrence @Joshua Pingley ♬ Flowers - Miley Cyrus

However, nothing has been verified.

Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!

This article was originally published on January 20, 2023 and has since been updated with new information.

Feature image: YouTube/Miley Cyrus.

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