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Selena, Justin, and Hailey: The Never-Ending Love Triangle Drama

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The opinions expressed in this article are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of Her Campus.
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at UH chapter.

From cryptic Instagram stories to shady TikTok likes and viral remixed songs, the saga of Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, and Hailey Bieber continues to enthrall fans.

What started as a child star romance between two of the biggest young celebrities of the late 2000s has spiraled into one of Hollywood’s most enduring, dissected, and dramatic love triangles. Over a decade later, the drama still makes headlines, fueled by music, social media subtweets, and relentless fan speculation.

Justin and Selena first crossed paths in 2009, when they were just teenagers at the peak of their fame. Selena Gomez starred in the iconic Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, and Justin Bieber was a YouTube-discovered pop prodigy, quickly climbing the social ladder after his hit song Baby. By 2010, “Jelena” was born, and their relationship became a tabloid obsession. Their eight-year on-and-off romance played out in the harsh glare of the public eye, with every breakup, reunion, and intimate moment scrutinized by fans and media.

Their final appearance as a couple was in March 2018, at Justin’s father’s wedding, where they looked happier than ever. But just months later, Justin shocked the world by rekindling his past fling with model Hailey Baldwin. The timeline was in shambles after they announced their engagement in July. And by September, fans were starstruck again after the broadcasting of their marriage ceremony photos. The whiplash-inducing timeline left fans wondering: Did Hailey steal Justin? Or was Selena always meant to walk away?

Selena then dropped her #1 single, Lose You To Love Me, which seemingly confirmed fans’ suspicions. Who could forget the iconic line, “In two months, you replaced us like it was easy / Made me think I deserved it in the thick of healing.” Fans didn’t need to read between the lines; the message was clear as day. The heartbreaking song clearly speaks to her past love life experiences.

Smiley Face?width=1024&height=1024&fit=cover&auto=webp&dpr=4
Hailey Bieber via Instagram, Wendy Wei via Pexels

Shortly after the wedding and the hit single, there were many fan speculations that Hailey Baldwin took Justin away from Selena. In 2022, Hailey Bieber went on the Call Her Daddy podcast to shut down rumors and the allegations of her taking Justin away from Selena while they were dating. “I was never with him when he was in a relationship with anybody — that’s the end of it.” 

On March 6, 2025, Hailey was accused of liking a shady TikTok video about Selena and Benny Blanco. In the TikTok video, the creator discussed her dislike of Selena and Benny’s photo shoot from Interview Magazine. The creator who posted the TikTok, screenshotted that Hailey liked the video and posted it to her social media. Hailey’s representative shortly commented after this and said, “This never happened. This entire story has been fabricated by a content creator looking to capitalize off of an old, tired narrative.”

 

selena gomez and benny blanco at the 2025 oscars
Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Yikes, this situation is getting filled with never-ending drama! This love triangle has transcended typical Hollywood gossip, becoming a cultural phenomenon that refuses to fade. What do you think: will time finally bury the drama? Or will every Instagram story, TikTok like, and breakup song keep the saga alive for another decade? One thing’s certain: as long as the internet exists, the world will keep watching.

As a first-generation college student, double majoring in Strategic Communications and Political Science with a minor in Marketing, I am passionate about understanding the intersection of marketing and public policy in the corporate world. Developing a strong foundation in governance, organizational dynamics, and legal principles. My goal is to pursue a career in the legal field, where I can contribute to meaningful change. My personal interests include reading, writing, and spending time with my friends!!