Amanda Bynes has drawn renewed attention from fans after revealing a new hand tattoo during a visit to Atomic Tattoo & Body Piercing on Wednesday night.
The 39-year-old actress shared videos from the appointment with her 622,000 Instagram followers, first showing her tattoo artist positioning a stencil to confirm placement. She later revealed the finished result: the words “Trap Star” inked prominently across the back of her hand.
Bynes has not publicly explained the meaning behind the tattoo. However, the phrase “trap star” is commonly associated with slang tied to hip-hop culture and, in some contexts, references to the drug trade or street economy. That ambiguity sparked concern among some fans, particularly given Bynes’ well-documented struggles with mental health and substance misuse in the past.
In a 2018 interview with Paper, Bynes spoke candidly about a period she described as a “dark” chapter following her exit from acting. At the time, she said her days consisted largely of staying home, using drugs, and disengaging from work. She later credited her parents with helping her regain stability, noting that she had been sober for several years.
More recently, Bynes has taken steps to rebuild her life independently. In 2022, she announced the end of her nearly 9-year conservatorship, saying in a statement obtained by People that she would continue to prioritize her health and well-being.
In March 2023, Bynes was briefly placed on a psychiatric hold, though she has since kept a relatively low public profile. Reports have also indicated that she is in a relationship with business owner Zachary Khan, whom sources describe as supportive and stabilizing.
Beyond the tattoo, Bynes has been quietly exploring new creative outlets. Earlier this week, she shared a preview of an electronic dance music track she has been working on with collaborators Yung Yogi and Nikki Paige, produced by Zabastien Lucas. She described the project as a “dance trance EDM track,” signaling a continued interest in music experimentation.
She has also launched an OnlyFans account, clarifying to followers that she does not plan to post explicit content. Instead, she has framed the platform as a way to connect directly with fans, share fashion ideas, and eventually discuss her experiences as a former Nickelodeon child star.
Bynes studied fashion and art at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, earning an associate degree in 2014, and has previously hosted pop-up art shows, including one in December 2024 attended by fellow creatives.
While the meaning behind her new tattoo remains unclear, Bynes continues to navigate a post-Hollywood chapter defined by experimentation, independence, and creative exploration. As with much of her recent activity, the tattoo appears to be another personal expression rather than a public statement—though it has once again placed her in the spotlight.
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