Justin Bieber and model Hailey Baldwin went to an Los Angeles arcade on Monday.
Inevitably, the rumor mill has billed the pair’s hangout as a date amid a budding romance .
It’s claimed the “Baby” star has grown close to the 18-year-old daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin, following his split with on-off girlfriend Selena Gomez .
However, it’s odd that Justin and Hailey have supposedly only now got around to dating, as they’ve been pals for years. How long?
This long.
At Today Show to see @justinbieber perform. First time we met was 3 years ago at today show. Crazy!
— Hailey Baldwin (@haileybaldwin) November 23, 2011
On Monday, the Biebs and the pretty model were spotted at Target in Los Angeles, before reportedly spending over two and half hours at the Family Amusement Corporation, where they played games at the arcade .
The pals were accompanied by the Canadian’s old friend and past “swagger coach” Ryan Good and Hillsong speaker, Joe Termini.
In pics, Justin is seen sipping from a Starbucks cup and chowing down on a snack, while Hailey strolled a short distance behind with Ryan.
While Jelena devotees may be sobbing in a dark room somewhere, we’re not sure Hailey isn’t simply being a good friend to the Biebs during what appears to be a tough time, now that Selena has seemingly moved on for good. There’s also the fact that the blonde model is nothing like the dark, Latina “type” Justin usually dates.
Naturally, Hollywood Life — which is coming off weeks of claiming Justin is so obsessed with Selena that he considered “surprising” the Disney alum at the 2014 American Music Awards, where she performed her breakup anthem — have a stack of new claims.
“ Justin has a new muse and it’s Hailey. She’s different from the other girls Justin has been with,” an alleged source told the notorious gossip site. “She’s really fun, feisty, and could care less about Justin’s fame and fortune.”
The alleged insider continued, “Hailey’s birthday was on Nov. 22, so when she got to New York, Justin made sure to spoil her and treat her like a princess. He totally took care of her and took her shopping. He’s definitely on the rebound from Selena.”
Hedging its bets, the website claims Hailey is being “cautious” and “doesn’t want to just be another girl on Justin’s list. Right now, she’s treating this relationship as a friendship.”
Missing from those claims, is Joe Termini. He accompanied Hailey on a private jet with the Biebs when they all left New York on November 29.
The model was previously seen at Hillsong NYC with Justin and mutual pal Kendall Jenner on November 9.
While it remains to be seen whether there really is something romantic between Justin and Hailey, it is true they have been seen together more frequently of late.
The “Confident” hitmaker presented the model with a chocolate cake at her recent birthday bash in Los Angeles.
The day after Thanksgiving, the singer, Joe and Hailey were seen goofing around playing ice-hockey in Central Park, New York
The next day, Hailey and Justin were spotted shopping in New York and dining at the Sant Ambroeus restaurant, hours before they jetted to L.A.
Back on the West Coast, the singer, Ryan and Hailey were seen at Hillsong Los Angeles on Sunday, November 30.
Selena also attended the same branch the same day. The jury’s out on whether the former Jelena were at the same service.
On Monday night, Hailey, Joe, Justin and a group of pals went to the Clippers’ face-off with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Put together, it’s a lot of dates . Are they romantic? Time will tell.
“Yung jb in the game,” Hailey wrote by a pic of the Biebs some time before they and their group arrived at the Staples Center on December 1.
The trio at the Staples Center.
Hailey’s caption read, “love you buds and love @laclippers.”
[Images via AKM-GSI ]