Just days after teasing a major career pivot, Amanda Bynes has set the internet buzzing again, this time with an eyebrow-raising permanent ink that left many fans uneasy.
As the former child star debuted her new tattoo on social media on Wednesday, January 21, netizens quickly expressed concern, with many questioning the timing of the reveal amid her recent life changes, further fueled by her controversial past.
Amanda’s new ink sparked reactions online, including comments like, “The tragic tale of child stars,” while others deemed the move a “scream for help.”
Amanda Bynes raised alarms among fans and followers after unveiling new permanent ink, with many drawing eerie connections to her concerning past
Image credits: amandapandapandapanda1
The She’s the Man star debuted the tattoo amid a series of dramatic physical changes, including reportedly getting lip fillers and shedding around 30 pounds using the popular weight-loss medication O*empic.
On Wednesday, Bynes was spotted leaving the popular Hollywood tattoo shop Atomic Tattoo & Body Piercing, sporting her signature bold eyebrows, bleached hair, and casual, comfortable clothing.
She was accompanied by her boyfriend, Zachary Khan, during the outing.
Amanda documented the entire process of getting her new ink and shared it with her 622,000 followers through a series of Instagram Stories.
In a brief clip, Bynes was seen filming her tattoo artist as a stencil was used to confirm the placement and size of the tattoo.
She then teased the ink with an image of her left hand holding a red vape, partially obscuring the design.
A few hours later, the former actress fully unveiled the tattoo with a close-up of her well-manicured left hand.
The new ink reads “Trap Star,” written boldly in black near her index finger and thumb.
As she unveiled the tattoo, Bynes also updated her Instagram bio to read “Trap Star.”
The 39-year-old’s new tattoo appears to be rooted in a slang term commonly associated with the illegal dr*g trade
While the specific reason behind the actress choosing the phrase remains unclear, as she has not addressed it publicly, online speculation about the meaning of the term has been widespread.
“Trap star” is commonly used as slang to describe someone involved in the dr*g trade or criminal activity.
The phrase combines “trap,” referring to a place where illegal substances are sold, and “star,” indicating someone who excels or profits within that environment.
Given the controversial meaning of the slang term, netizens voiced concern across social media, citing Amanda’s history with substance misuse and mental health struggles.
Many interpreted the tattoo as a troubling signal, speculating that it could reflect a shift toward a lifestyle that might jeopardize her stability.
One concerned fan wrote, “It’s very sad, rather than obsess over her tattoo, I think the concern should be about the state of her. It’s pitiable.”
Another user commented, “This is so heartbreaking to see. She was such a wholesome, talented girl with all the potential in the world. Sad to see what the entertainment industry does to child stars.”
“Most people with her degree of mental illness have little to absolutely no impulse control… I know everyone here is criticizing her for this bad tattoo, but it helps to understand what’s behind these actions… She might know for a second it’s a bad tattoo but she just flips quickly to ‘do it anyway’ without being able to put on the brakes,” expressed a third.
“I feel very sorry for this poor woman… She does not need ridicule, she needs compassion and support,” wrote one concerned fan online
“This makes me sad . Such a young woman with absolutely everything going for her and between dr*g ab*se and mental illness she’s left looking a completely different person.”
In early 2023, the Sydney White star was found walking unclothed through the streets of downtown Los Angeles and was reportedly taken to a nearby police station before being evaluated by a mental health team.
Authorities later determined she needed to be placed on a 5150 psychiatric hold, a legal, involuntary hospitalization for individuals considered a danger to themselves or others.
While a standard 5150 hold typically lasts 72 hours, Bynes reportedly remained in a mental health facility for approximately three weeks.
According to multiple reports, later that same year, in June, Bynes was hospitalized again for nearly two weeks after indicating she was experiencing thoughts of harming herself.
The tattoo reveal also came just days after Bynes teased a potential career pivot into the music industry, specifically describing the project as a “dance trance EDM track.”
She announced the move on Instagram earlier this month and reportedly collaborated with artists Yung Yogi and Nikki Paige, sharing a brief snippet of the track, tentatively titled Girlfriend, produced by Zabastien Lucas.
In an Instagram post teasing her music pivot, the former actress wrote in the caption, “Cooking up in the studio. Want this to be a dance trance edm track. We’ll see where we go with it.”
The brief snippet featured electronic beats paired with Bynes’ vocals singing the line, “I want to be your girlfriend.”
Bynes’ new ink reveal reignited conversation around her years-long struggles with mental health and substance dependence
She also indicated that she plans to release the track on all major streaming platforms once it is finalized.
The music venture follows her decision to join an adult content creator platform, with her On**Fans account launching in April last year.
However, Bynes has repeatedly emphasized that her page does not feature explicit content, stating that her primary goal is to connect with fans through direct messages.
Sources close to Bynes at the time claimed the move was intended as a “career renaissance,” aimed at generating a steady income following her retirement from acting.
“My heart breaks for her. She’s had the worst time in life,” one user wrote on X, while another added, “Is there nobody in her life to help her? Her appearance is just a symptom of clear mental distress…”
“Another victim of the Nickelodeon system. Those young performers were failed by so many that should have been protecting them,” wrote one netizen
