Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber hung out together at the Montage Hotel in Beverly Hills on Saturday afternoon, July 11, prompting some fans to launch the trending topic “Justin and Selena” on Twitter.
So, what’s the story?
Shots and GIFs of the on-and-off sweethearts relaxing by the hotel pool with either family and/or friends were first posted on Perez Hilton and Hollywood Life . Both claimed to have the exclusive.
In one pic, a shirtless Biebs is seen strolling into the hotel with a towel wrapped around his neck wearing long baby blue trunks, while Selena walked behind him decked in a black t-shirt with her hair up in a ponytail. The actress-singer had a navy and white detail bikini on underneath.
EXCLUSIVE! Are these two ever done?! #SelenaGomez & #JustinBieber spotted together! http://t.co/P6XEHWGsLF pic.twitter.com/LeMnPVjwz5
— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) July 11, 2015
Photographs revealed Justin and Selena are evidently at ease in each other’s company, which sits at odds with recent reports and most fans’ apparent belief that the pair barely speak following their breakup last September.
Hollywood Life even claimed an insider alleged that it looked like Selena was sitting on the Biebs’ lap in a private cabana at the hotel, and that they engaged in PDA .
However, that specific claim is unreliable and is certainly not confirmed by any of the pics.
CAN WE ALL TAKE A MOMENT AND ADMIRE HER BATHING SUIT ITS SO PRETTY pic.twitter.com/EbDwQetClJ
— Selena Gomez (@jelenasmelody) July 12, 2015
Naturally, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez fans had widely divided opinions after seeing their idols together. This is to be expected given the general over-investment of fans in the superstars’ relationship, either for or against.
Adding to that, are the seemingly mixed messages arising after the last couple of times the two were spotted together in public. In addition, toxic reporting on Jelena over the past few years has encouraged fans into believing every and any claim that gossip sites peddle, no matter how sensationalist or ridiculous .
In May, Selena’s PR quickly shut down chatter that she and Justin were reuniting , after the pair popped up in a Snapchat story shot at a church-related meet with pals in Los Angeles. In the videos, both stars were seen smiling at each other. At the time, a Gomez insider told E! News that their meet-up was unexpected and not planned, adding –“They are definitely not back together whatsoever. Definitely not.”
Fast forward to June. Selena was spotted ducking out of Tori Kelly’s album release party with British singer Ed Sheeran , shortly after the Biebs arrived at the bash. From that, fans and media assumed the once Jelena were no longer on good terms.
Since then, Justin and Selena have both powered into the Top 10 of Billboard’s Hot 100 chart with singles that sparked speculation that each was referring to the other.
The Biebs’ bittersweet “Where Are U Now” single with Jack U’s Diplo and Skrillex is at No. 8 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Much has been made of graphic messages in the accompanying video that mentions Gomez amid other art. However, all the art is fan or artist-contributed. Submissions included in the video were reportedly chosen by the two directors.
Selena’s sultry, Lana Del Rey-esque “Good For You” could be seen as inspired by Justin. But the Disney alum has said it is more about a woman enjoying her beauty. It debuted at No. 9 in the Hot 100 last week, and is now at No. 17.
Inevitably, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez fans, and the rumor mill, began obsessing over two questions immediately after the snaps surfaced. Namely, has Jelena reunited? And is Hailey Baldwin a factor or not?
For her part, Hailey has consistently denied rumors that she is dating Bieber. She has said many times that they are pals. On Saturday, shortly after fans started reacting to the news of Jelena reuniting — at the hotel, at any rate — the model cryptically tweeted, “the devil really is working extra hard today.”
the devil really is working extra hard today
— Hailey Baldwin (@haileybaldwin) July 12, 2015
Bottom line? It should be apparent to even the simplest fan that just because an ex-couple may no longer be in an intimate relationship, does not mean they cannot be friends.
Once upon a time, Justin and Selena were in love and seemed destined for marriage. That might not be on the cards now, or ever. But a close friendship that preserves and builds on the best of what Jelena once had together is a healthy alternative. Either way, it’s up to JB and SelGo what happens in their relationship.
Based on some comments posted by fans on Twitter, it seems that particular memo hasn’t reached everyone yet. More enlightened fans also expressed their opinions. Check out the part crazy and sane selection below.
NEW POST – Exposed: The New Official Jelena Contract of 2015. http://t.co/OOxL6N8Ecw
— A. (@ExposingSMG) July 12, 2015
there’s absolutely no reason i should see “Justin and Selena” trending in 2015 bruh…….let it go LET IT GOOOOOOO
— xav (@xavierleeds) July 12, 2015
You’re kidding right.. What makes you think that you as a FAN can decide pic.twitter.com/SXxBfnICs3
— Hanne (@kidrauhl_hanne) July 12, 2015
Why are y’all acting like they haven’t hung out since they broke up…
— danielle (@ofjustindrew) July 11, 2015
Selena is coming out with new music soon and she’s hanging out with Justin again. Surprising? Not really.
— Jessica (@TheBiebsCrib) July 12, 2015
Justin and Selena are old enough to make their own decisions. They don’t need your opinion. Lol.
— Selena Gomez (@jelenasmelody) July 11, 2015
Did Justin lose his wisdom with his teeth or?
— kr?s (@bieberstasty) July 12, 2015
I get so mad at Selena cause she always gets back with Justin like CMON these 2 have a crush on you wyd @selenagomez pic.twitter.com/ZpW0itQ0Ve
— Good For You (@slaylenaforever) July 12, 2015
Justins gonna post a picture of selena, delete it, selenas gonna shade justin, they wont be seen together for a whole year. Its a tradition
— faith (@JustxnBeiber) July 11, 2015
I love when justin and selena hang out bc it still pisses ya’ll off after so many years
— •Juliana• (@UniverseOfJDB) July 12, 2015
“Jelena’s back!!1” pic.twitter.com/jFwWOYAbUf
— was glicebieberxx (@kotfjournals) July 11, 2015
@justinbieber wtf are you doing kid pic.twitter.com/mDSUN7jMPJ
— ??maddy (@ourkidrahul) July 11, 2015
Beliebers and Selenators really need to get over the Justin, Selena affair. Like its none of yalls business what they do tbh. Let it be
— AMANDA (@amandaluvmessi) July 12, 2015
Yall wanna waste energy on your rants on how they shouldn’t hang out and how they’re toxic when you could be doing something with your life
— shaniqua (@bieberftkylies) July 11, 2015
This goes to show that majority of the bs written about Justin Bieber is otherwise fabricated or exaggerated. I feel bad for Justin!
— Tammy (@SKMom75) August 26, 2014
Again? Drama because two friends meet? #Beliebers please go and grow up! The private life isn’t our concern! #Support is our Job$
— olav (@OlavGehle) July 12, 2015
there is no such thing as “jelena drama” they hang out and yall make drama out’ve that. so immature
— princess (@BURNTLIKEBIZZLE) July 11, 2015
This is dumb af… That doesn’t happen over night https://t.co/WYqWoQVwEK
— Hanne (@kidrauhl_hanne) July 12, 2015
remember @selenagomez pic.twitter.com/FWPoCC2Ono
— Selena Charts (@SelCharts) July 12, 2015
And here i thought selena is done playing with him but i guess not
— Tala (@TOBACCOMCCANN) July 11, 2015
It’s called caring, we don’t want justin to go through depression again, we don’t want 2013 back https://t.co/UqnSCSoqdN
— Tala (@TOBACCOMCCANN) July 12, 2015
me at the people who are saying jelena is back pic.twitter.com/wdiPyozOY1
— ?????????? (@biebersIane) July 11, 2015
never in my life have i see a grown ass girl act like her ex boyfriend is the spawn of satan and then “hangs” out with him
— ??? (@theslickbieber) July 11, 2015
Even as friends Selena is not good for Justin, he’s finally happy and healthy again and I don’t want anything or anyone to change that.
— Amber (@biebstive) July 11, 2015
jelena stans rising from the dead pic.twitter.com/O3TBfscAqy
— jordan (@biebsuschrist) July 11, 2015
The funny part is all ya’ll have against Jelena is assumptions. You never knew what “happened” between them and you still don’t. ??
— Hailie (@irauhlin) July 12, 2015
[Images via Getty Images]