We first got a glimpse of Selena Gomez‘s new back tattoo a few weeks ago, but the design was relatively indecipherable due to the distance the snap was taken from. However today we finally got a look at the star’s sizeable new body art, which takes prime real estate at the top of her back, just below her neck.
The tattoo itself is a watercolour rose with pink petals that bloom outward from Gomez’s spine. The stem further trails the spine, with the leaves etched in ombre hues to appear as if they’re dripping down the expanse of the Lose You To Love Me singer’s back.
The design was gone by New York-based tattoo legend Keith Scott “Bang Bang” McCurdy, a go-to artist for countless celebrities and Gomez’s long-time collaborator when it comes to her body art. This new addition marks the Only Murders In The Building star’s 16th tattoo, and by far her most sizeable piece yet.
Most of Gomez’s previous body illustrations are artistic symbols of her beliefs, her family or to commemorate different periods in her life. Her last piece of ink created with McCurdy was a minimal cross on her collarbone that she got in April this year, but she also has the roman numerals LXXVI, the word “Rare” (a reference to her latest album) and Arabic script for the phrase “love yourself first.”
Perhaps the rose is a sign of Gomez’s own personal blossoming, as the star recently spoke about prioritising her wellbeing for the launch of Wondermind, a platform she created for women experiencing mental health difficulties to support one another. In a video posted to the platform’s Instagram, Gomez detailed the steps she takes to look after her mind.
“What helps me, first and foremost, is just picking up the phone and calling someone,” she said. “I constantly try to fill myself with knowledge of what it is that I am feeling and the triggers that happen to me.”
She also admitted that while she “hate[s] working out!” she finds it to be an important part of the self-care process, even when she doesn’t feel like doing it. “It is not fun, but I’ve been doing intense boxing classes recently, and it has really helped me get a lot of frustration but also just energy out, and it feels so good.”
Here’s to seeing Gomez continue to bloom in 2022 (and – we’re willing to bet – more body art).
