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Hailey Bieber has stirred the pot once again, seemingly reopening old wounds between herself and Selena Gomez with a remark that fans are calling a subtle but cutting jab.
The 28-year-old model and Rhode founder, who married Justin Bieber in 2018 shortly after his final split from Gomez, was speaking to WSJ Magazine when she appeared to throw shade at the "Love On" singer. Asked whether she felt competitive now that her Rhode products share shelf space with Gomez's Rare Beauty line at Sephora, Hailey replied coolly, "I think there's space for everybody."
However, the line that followed is what set the internet ablaze. "I don't feel competitive with people that I'm not inspired by," she said, a comment widely interpreted as a dig at Gomez, though Hailey never mentioned her by name.
The interviewer reportedly attempted to ask a follow-up about possible comparisons between the two beauty brands, but Hailey's publicist swiftly cut the question short. Later in the discussion, Hailey said it was "annoying being pitted against other people," insisting she "didn't ask for that."
Her reps later told Page Six that none of her remarks were directed toward Gomez. Still, fans were quick to dissect every word, reigniting years of online tension between the two women, who both dated Justin Bieber during their formative careers.
The pair briefly appeared to mend fences in 2022 when they posed for a now-viral photo together at the Academy Museum Gala. Gomez even urged fans to stop the cyberbullying aimed at Hailey. But their apparent peace was short-lived. In June, followers noticed that both had quietly unfollowed each other on Instagram, fueling speculation of renewed friction.
Despite the ongoing chatter, Hailey maintains she's "moved past" the narrative. "When people make up a story about you in their minds, it's not up to you to change that," she said.
Still, with two billion-dollar beauty empires, a shared romantic history, and social media always watching, it seems the Bieber–Gomez rivalry isn't fading anytime soon.
