Justin Bieber set the record straight after fans noticed that he seemingly unfollowed his wife, Hailey Bieber, on Instagram.
Earlier today, eagle-eyed fans saw that the “Baby” singer, 30, had stopped following several of his close friends and family – as well as his former manager Scooter Braun.
Naturally, Hailey being unfollowed sparked rumors of trouble in paradise behind the scenes from fans.
“Is this the modern way of announcing a breakup,” one questioned on social media afterward.
Another admitted: “Wow didn’t see this one coming.”
However, Rhode founder Hailey, 28, isn’t the only one Justin had chosen to axe from his ‘following’ list, with his former flame Selena also having received an unfollow.
After noticing, one fan took to X to write: “Justin Bieber unfollowing Hailey and Selena? Bold move—Instagram drama is the new ‘One Less Lonely Girl.’ #UnfollowGate”.
Taking to Instagram to address the speculation, however, the 30-year-old wrote on his story: “Someone went on my account and unfollowed my wife.”
He added: “S**t is getting suss out here.”
The temporary unfollowing of his wife came after Justin — who welcomed his first child, son Jack Blues, with Hailey in August 2024 — called the socialite “the greatest woman I have and will ever know” in an Instagram Story on Monday, January 20.
The couple has recently faced a wave of rumors about marital issues. Many fans and pop culture commentators dissected social media posts that Hailey and Justin shared, speculating that they made have been directed at each other.
Hailey and Justin also seemingly spent the holidays apart, with the influencer spending time with friends Lori Harvey and Justine Skye in Anguilla.
Before issuing his response, some of the ‘Never Say Never’ hit-maker’s followers were under the impression that his social media move may have formed part of a PR stunt and that Justin is using the attention to create hype surrounding future musical works.
“Attention-seeking behavior. Pr stunt to promote his album. Both of them,” one critic slammed in response to the unfollowing news, while another predicted: “Seeking attention for his new music.”
“I think he did it on purpose to make some noise,” a third claimed.
Another skeptic wrote online: “He knows he is coming to flop with his new album it giving pr it’s giving desperate”.
Their suggestions come just days after some fans convinced themselves the ‘What Do You Mean’ singer is set to make an imminent return to the entertainment industry in the coming months.
Some were also quick to point out that, just two days ago, Justin posted snaps of Hailey on his IG page, implying that the unfollows can’t possibly be viewed as an indication of strife between them.
The Instagram story was quickly deleted, instead, the singer shared a series of new photos from his trip with his wife and some friends in Aspen snaps papped by photographer, Rory Kramer, one of which showed him and Hailey holding hands while ice-skating.
A second in a separate photo dump saw the pair putting their middle fingers up to the camera while a third selfie saw Hailey sticking her tongue out as Justin posed in shades and a hooded coat.
Meanwhile, a fourth snap saw the couple in ski gear drinking some hot beverages in takeaway cups.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@justinbieber
