Jelena, is that you?
The rumor mill is ablaze yet again with Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez romance rumors, after the heartthrob made a point of complimenting his ex-girlfriend following their hangout at a 2015 Met Gala after-party on Monday night in NYC.
This is what happened.
After Bieber rocked the red carpet in Balmain at the fashion event, the Canadian superstar and actress-singer both attended Rihanna’s private soiree at Up & Down. A source told E! News the pair partied separately but “exchanged some words” during the night which were reportedly cordial.
The Biebs spent most of his night “dancing and having a great time with his friends,” which included models Shanina Shaik, Hailey Baldwin, and his mentor Usher. He also “hung out with Kendall [Jenner] and that crew a bit as well,” the source said. “Everyone was dancing and having an amazing time.”
Other stars present included Leonardo DiCaprio , Madonna, Kylie Jenner, and her rumored boyfriend Tyga. But it’s what happened just after Bieber left the bash that’s curious. During an impromptu meet and greet with NYC fans from the back of his SUV, the “ Where Are U Now ” singer went out of his way to mention Selena without being prompted.
“Selena looked gorgeous at the Met Ball!” Justin is heard half-yelling at paparazzi and fans on video footage obtained by TMZ and 24/7 PapsTV .
Gossip sites are now speculating that Bieber is interested in reuniting with Gomez, despite their evidently acrimonious breakup last September and seemingly icy chill in the interim.
So, was Bieber’s comment his slam on the Gomez-fat shaming furor that blew up after she was criticized over a tight bikini, then accused of being out of shape by an Instagram user? Was he playing mind-games with his ex? Or, perhaps he just felt like giving over-invested fans and an often fantasy-filled rumor mill something fresh to rant about?
Is everyone over-thinking? The simplest reason is that Bieber threw some praise Gomez’s way because they had a good chat at Rihanna’s after-party, and because she actually did look gorgeous at the ball?
God forbid anyone could think Bieber would say something nice to a former first love who he has five years history with. Either way, only he knows. And, possibly Gomez. No doubt, certain sites will claim to have “exclusives!” on “The Truth!”
Back to the Met Gala. The 21-year-old singer’s Balmain showcase has seen him named in multiple best dressed lists, many of which applauded the Biebs as one of the few males to embrace the Gala’s “ China: Through the Looking Glass ” theme.
Dapper dudes at the Met Gala http://t.co/gRVYZ9ojLt pic.twitter.com/OCLQsES8pV
— Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) May 5, 2015
Last night Justin Bieber showed the world how much of a swaglord he is http://t.co/zQLNvmP1Dc pic.twitter.com/LTpqKLblGo
— BuzzFeed Celeb (@BuzzFeedCeleb) May 5, 2015
U A SAVAGE BIEBS ZERO CHILL LMAO pic.twitter.com/1bzrI57UZJ
— Four Pins (@Four_Pins) May 4, 2015
. @justinbieber ‘s @Balmain ‘fit, tho. #MetGala pic.twitter.com/YYoQg1jobH
— Complex Style (@ComplexStyle) May 4, 2015
The most sylish men from last night’s #MetGala http://t.co/b4Ja9zyNub pic.twitter.com/xI7SfOTmg5
— DETAILS (@DETAILS) May 5, 2015
Congratulations @justinbieber you were the best dress men of the #MetGala http://t.co/aBku3haLFx pic.twitter.com/3nQAzED6wq
— Jose Luis Díez-Garde (@esmoquinroom) May 5, 2015
Social media posts shared by the Biebs’ fix-it-guy, Corey Gamble , stylist Ugo Mozie , and Balmain’s creative director Olivier Rousteing — who designed the singer’s stunning black and gold ensemble — revealed glimpses of their pre-Gala fittings and hangout before the organized mayhem at New York’s Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute kicked off.
More details about Bieber’s look came from André Leon Talley’s (the ex-editor-at-large for Vogue magazine) red carpet interview with Rousteing and Bieber.
After revealing it took one month to embroider Justin’s jacket, Olivier called the singer “The new legacy,” then added, “he’s part of the new world, he’s the future, so proud to have him tonight.”
A video from film director, producer, YouTube maven, Casey Neistat, revealed Rousteing prepping before Bieber clapped eyes on his dragon-embellished garbs for the first time.
All in all, it’s an interesting walk through the singer’s fashion arrival , which — as we now all know — ended with his “Selena looked gorgeous at the Met Ball” zinger.
[Images via Getty Images/David Fisher/Rex Shutterstock/Instagram/Facebook]