In the world of celebrity relationships, few have garnered as much attention and sparked as much intrigue as the on-again, off-again romance between Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. The duo, affectionately dubbed "Jelena" by their fans, began dating in late 2010 and their relationship lasted until early 2018, with numerous breaks in between. Since then, both stars have moved on with their lives, with Bieber marrying Hailey Baldwin in 2018, and Gomez focusing on her music, acting career, and mental health advocacy. Despite their separate paths, the question remains: Does Justin Bieber still think about Selena Gomez?
To understand the persistent interest in whether Bieber still thinks about Gomez, one must first consider the depth and visibility of their relationship. As young stars growing up in the public eye, Justin and Selena's relationship was intensely scrutinized and widely discussed. Their every move was documented by the media, analyzed by fans, and commented on by experts. They were seen as a powerhouse couple within the pop music scene, embodying a fairy-tale romance for millions of fans worldwide.
Their relationship wasn’t just tabloid fodder; it also seemed to deeply affect both artists on a personal and professional level. Their ups and downs played out through their music and public statements. For example, Gomez's emotional performance of "The Heart Wants What It Wants" at the American Music Awards in 2014, which was widely believed to be about Bieber, showcased the personal nature of their struggles. Likewise, Bieber’s 2015 album "Purpose" included several tracks that hinted at his feelings about Gomez, most notably in songs like "Sorry" and "Mark My Words."
Since their final breakup, both Bieber and Gomez have publicly moved on. Bieber's relationship with Hailey Baldwin quickly escalated to marriage by September 2018, and he has since expressed numerous times how his marriage has stabilized his life and helped him grow personally and spiritually. Gomez, on the other hand, has embraced her single status and focused on her health, after publicly battling lupus and undergoing a kidney transplant.
Despite their new lives, the shadow of their past relationship occasionally resurfaces in the media. For instance, when Bieber posted throwback pictures of himself with Gomez on Instagram a few years ago, it sparked a flood of speculation about his current feelings. However, such actions seem to have ceased as both celebrities have established boundaries to respect their current situations and emotional well-being.
From a psychological standpoint, it is likely that both individuals still think about each other to some extent, as is normal with any impactful past relationship. Dr. Julia Bard, a clinical psychologist specializing in relationships, explains, "Past relationships, particularly those that are intense and significant, often leave a lasting imprint. While Justin and Selena have moved on, the memories and experiences they shared will inevitably linger in their minds, though the emotional intensity may diminish over time."
Moreover, as public figures, their past is continuously echoed by their fan bases and the media, making it harder to completely distance themselves from their shared history.
Both artists have used their music as a cathartic outlet to process their feelings, which might be one of the reasons why fans continue to speculate about their current emotional state regarding each other. Gomez’s 2020 album "Rare" and her single "Lose You to Love Me" reflect her journey towards self-discovery and healing post-breakup, suggesting a final closure of her chapter with Bieber.
Bieber’s more recent works have also shifted to focus more on his personal growth, his struggles with mental health, and his marriage, indicating a new direction in his life that is more centered around his present and future than his past.
While it’s reasonable to speculate that Justin Bieber might occasionally reflect on his relationship with Selena Gomez, given its intensity and the formative years it spanned, both stars have shown signs of moving on, with a focus on their respective personal growth and new relationships. The question of whether Bieber still thinks about Gomez is less relevant than it once was, overshadowed by their efforts to forge new paths and create art that resonates with their current life stages. Fans might always wonder about the internal thoughts of celebrities, but respecting their growth means acknowledging their current narratives more than their pasts.