Selena Gomez has once again stepped in to quell online drama surrounding her and Hailey Bieber, urging fans and critics to “leave the girl alone” in a now-deleted social media post. The move came shortly after an interview was published where Bieber addressed the constant comparisons between her skincare line, Rhode, and Gomez’s brand, Rare Beauty.
- Selena Gomez posted and then deleted an Instagram story responding to a recent Hailey Bieber interview.
- In the interview, Bieber expressed frustration at being “pitted against other people” and their respective beauty brands.
- Gomez’s post defended Bieber, stating, “She can say whatever she wants. Doesn’t affect (my) life whatsoever.”
- The incident adds another chapter to the long-running, fan-fueled narrative of a feud between the two women, who are both linked to Justin Bieber.
The Interview That Sparked the Reaction
In a Wall Street Journal Magazine interview published on October 14, Hailey Bieber was asked about the perceived competition between her Rhode skincare line and Selena Gomez’s hugely successful Rare Beauty. Bieber, 28, expressed her annoyance with the situation.
“It’s always annoying being pitted against other people. I didn’t ask for that,” Bieber said. “When people want to see you a certain way and they’ve made up a story about you in their minds, it’s not up to you to change that.”
Gomez’s Plea for Kindness
Shortly after the interview gained traction, Gomez, 33, took to her Instagram story with a direct message, which was captured by outlets like E! News before it was deleted.
“Just leave the girl alone,” Gomez wrote. “She can say whatever she wants. Doesn’t affect (my) life whatsoever. It’s just about relevance not intelligence. Be kind. All brands inspire me. There is room for everyone. And hopefully we can all stop.”
A Long History of Fan-Fueled Drama
The perceived rivalry between Gomez and Bieber has been a topic of intense online speculation for years, largely stemming from their respective relationships with singer Justin Bieber. While both women have repeatedly denied any animosity, their fans often fuel the fire.
The Infamous ‘Eyebrow’ Incident
The conflict reached a fever pitch in February 2023 after a series of social media posts were interpreted by fans as Bieber and her friend Kylie Jenner shading Gomez’s eyebrows. After Gomez posted a TikTok video about accidentally over-laminating her brows, Jenner posted a selfie with the caption “this was an accident????” over her own eyebrows, followed by a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Bieber that featured their eyebrows prominently. The incident led to a massive online backlash against Bieber and Jenner.
Following that event, Gomez revealed on her Instagram story that Hailey Bieber had reached out to her after receiving “death threats and such hateful negativity.” Gomez defended her, writing, “This isn’t what I stand for. No one should have to experience hate or bullying. I’ve always advocated for kindness and really want this all to stop.”
This latest exchange appears to be another attempt by Gomez to put an end to the negativity that continues to follow them both.