Selena Gomez explains meaning behind matching Cara Delevingne tattoo after romance speculation

Singer, 29, also revealed this isn’t her first matching tattoo

Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne get matching ‘Rosebud’ tattoos (Instagram/@bangbangnyc)

Selena Gomez has explained the significance of her and Cara Delevingne’s matching tattoos after the reveal sparked relationship rumours last month.

On 29 December, celebrity tattoo artist Bang Bang posted a picture of Gomez’s latest tattoo – a pink rose on the nape of her neck – on his Instagram profile.

In a subsequent post the same day, Bang Bang – real name Keith Scott McCurdy – told his 2.5 million followers that he had tattooed the same design on Gomez’s Only Murders in the Building co-star and best friend Delevingne.

The news sparked rumours that Delevingne and Gomez were dating, after the 29-year-olds were spotted kissing in New York in November last year.

On Monday (10 January), Gomez said the tattoo “means a couple of different things” during an appearance on the Live with Kelly and Ryan show.

The star continued: “But me and Cara [Delevingne], one of my best friends that I’ve known for – I was maybe 16 when I met her – she calls me ‘Rosebud.’ So, it’s a nickname, and I’ve always wanted a rose.”

Gomez also told co-hosts Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest that she actually has multiple matching tattoos “with people who have honestly left a significant mark on my life” – including the singer’s mother, Julia Michaels, and her best friends.

Delevingne – who is openly bi-sexual – and Gomez were first romantically linked with each other in 2014, after photos of them holidaying in the French Riviera surfaced.

In a 2015 interview with Pride Source, Gomez said she “didn’t mind” the rumours, adding that Delevingne “just makes me open”.

The “Good For You” singer continued: “[Delevingne] is so fun and she’s just extremely adventurous, and sometimes I just want that in my life, so I didn’t mind it. I loved it.”

During the same interview, Gomez also said she had “absolutely” questioned her sexuality in the past.

“I think it’s healthy to gain a perspective on who you are deep down, question yourself and challenge yourself; it’s important to do that,” added the singer, who has previously dated Justin Bieber and Taylor Lautner.