Many of us grew up being Justin Bieber fans, or as most people like to call it, Belibers. Myself included. I had a Justine Bieber calendar hung up above my bed and a tooth brush that sang his hit songs while I brushed my teeth. I can almost remember exactly how I would sing along to “Baby” in the early mornings.
During this era, Justine Bieber was going out with Selena Gomez, another famous singer we all grew up listening to. These two were like a dynamic duo couple. Everyone would romanticize their relationship so heavily that it turned out to be considered one of the most iconic couples in pop culture history.
Unfortunately, like many relationships, things come to an end. Because Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were huge celebrities, their split up was all over the internet. However, we really don’t know everything that happens behind closed doors. Even after years and years have passed, fans still tend to harp over Justin and Selena and what they could have been.
Since Justin performed at Coachella this past month, he sang some of his best throwbacks. Fans in the crowd had obviously taken videos from different angles and posted them on their social media platforms. As I watched these videos on TikTok and Instagram, my mood was immediately thrown off by the comments under these posts. Remarks like, “He was definitely thinking of Selena while singing this,” were being said.
Justin is married to Hailey Rhode Baldwin, who is now known as Hailey Bieber. Together, they have a little son named Jack Blues Bieber. This is exactly my point. Justine Bieber has a wife and a child. Making comments about his ex-girlfriend is just blatantly rude and disrespectful.
This isn’t where the issue stops. During the time that Hailey was pregnant with her baby son and soon after she gave birth, people were tearing her apart under her posts. Making comments that Justin is still in love with Selena and that she will never compete with her. Imagine being married to someone you love, having a child together and for some odd reason, the whole world is against seeing you happy. All while going through one of the hardest things ever, carrying a child.
Recently, Hailey Bieber has built a successful career of her own, Rhode skin care and makeup. Rhode has gained massive popularity online, with products consistently selling out and Rhode coming to Sephora. Interestingly, as her success has grown, public perception has seemed to shift as well. Many of the same people who once criticized her are now praising her, supporting her brand and buying all the trendy new products.
At some point, fans need to recognize the difference between nostalgia and reality. Holding onto a past relationship that ended years ago only prevents growth, not just for the celebrities involved, but for the audience as well. Justin and Selena have both moved on with their lives, careers, and personal journeys. Continuously dragging their past into the present ignores their current happiness and undermines the relationships they have built since. Respecting that evolution is the least fans can do.
