In recent weeks, a viral clip purportedly showingJustin Bieber breaking down in tears during an Instagram livestream has reignited the long-simmering drama involving his ex, Selena Gomez, and his wife, Hailey Bieber. Fans of “Jelena” — the portmanteau for Justin and Selena’s past relationship — have seized the moment, claiming that his emotional vulnerability is concrete proof that he’s still emotionally tethered to Selena. Others see it as a potentially disrespectful act toward Hailey, or worse, a manufactured moment for public sympathy.

But what actually happened? Did Justin Bieber cry on stream while singing about Selena Gomez? Is he disrespecting Hailey again? In this investigation, we look at the available evidence, the public reaction, and expert commentary.

The Jelena–Hailey Triangle

To understand why this moment has stirred so much attention, it’s essential to recall the tangled history between Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Hailey Bieber.

Justin & Selena’s Relationship: Justin and Selena had an on-again, off-again romance in the early 2010s. Their relationship was deeply public and often scrutinized.

Hailey Enters the Picture: Justin began seeing Hailey Baldwin (now Hailey Bieber) around 2015. After a period of dating, they registered their marriage in 2018. Fan Tensions: There have long been rumors and accusations from fans — especially Jelena supporters — that Justin’s emotional content, social media behavior, and even public posts are still influenced by his past with Selena.

Given this volatile history, any sign of emotional regression or introspection from Bieber is almost immediately interpreted through the lens of Jelena vs. Hailey.

The Viral Clip: What’s the Claim?

According to online discussion (especially on Reddit), here’s what people allege happened in the livestream:

Justin appeared on a livestream where he was shirtless, thin, and looking emotionally raw.

During the stream, he sang along to what seemed like unreleased demos of songs — raising speculation that these were deeply personal tracks.

Several commenters claimed he was whispering or muttering “Selena” in between lyrics, or while crying.

The combination of his voice cracking, tears, and mention of Selena has prompted some fans to conclude he’s emotionally entangled with his ex again.

Some viewers saw this as disrespectful to Hailey, as though Justin were publicly pining for Selena in a way that undermines his current marriage. Others defended him, saying he was just being vulnerable — and that it had more to do with mental health than romantic longing.

Verification: What Do the Facts Show?

Here’s what we do know, based on credible sources, and where things remain uncertain.

Confirmed Live Stream

According to multiple Vietnamese media outlets, Justin did a livestream on Instagram in March 2025 where he sang and rapped unreleased songs.

Reports noted that he looked physically thinner and “haggard,” prompting concern among fans about his well-being.

That same livestream reportedly caused Hailey Bieber to unfollow him on social media, which fans interpreted as a cryptic sign of marital tension.

Tearful Moment Related to Selena

There was a previous widely-reported instance (from 2018) where Justin was photographed crying in a car while with Hailey, reportedly around the time news broke of Selena Gomez being hospitalized for mental health treatment.

Media outlets like Kenh14 (a Vietnamese entertainment site) have since revisited the “emotional Justin” narrative, claiming that in this recent livestream, he whispered “Selena” while singing a sad demo, which many interpreted as him being haunted by his past with her

However, no major Western entertainment outlet appears to have independently verified** that he explicitly cried “Selena” or made dramatic romantic declarations in that stream.

Hailey’s Response & Context

Hailey Bieber has previously spoken out, defending her marriage and denying that Justin’s behavior is an ongoing “disrespect” to Selena.

She has stated that while there may be misunderstandings and internet drama, she believes Justin’s past is closed in terms of romantic relationships.

Media coverage also notes that some of Justin’s emotional moments might stem frommental health stress rather than romantic regret.

Fan and Commenter Interpretation

On forums like Reddit’s r/JustinBieber, many users express sympathy — arguing that he’s simply under a lot of emotional and psychological strain.

Others, particularly fans of “Jelena,” interpret his tears and his singing of possibly old, raw demos as a sign that he was never fully over Selena. Still, there are skeptics who believe parts of the video or its interpretation could be manipulated: maybe audio overlay, perhaps selective listening, or even dramatic editing for public consumption.

Analysis: Is He “Disrespecting Hailey”?

Whether or not Justinintentionally disrespected Hailey in that livestream is not definitively provable based on public evidence — but the perception is very real, and here’s how the dynamics break down:

Emotional Transparency vs. Disrespect

From a mental-health perspective, Justin’s behavior can be framed as vulnerability. Many fans sympathize, saying his tears are not manipulative but deeply human.

On the other hand, because his emotional contentpertains to Selena, some argue it undermines the stability of his marriage, or at least feeds “Jelena” nostalgia.

Public vs. Private Persona

The livestream was public, meaning any emotional rawness is exposed to fans, media, and critics. When a celebrity cries publicly, it quickly becomes fodder for narratives — and those narratives often depend on who’s listening.

If Justin did whisper “Selena” in a moment of emotional breakdown, even if not malicious, it could be interpreted by some as a signal that she remains central to his inner life — a reality that could feel uncomfortable or disrespectful to Hailey.

Motivations and Intent

It’s unclear what motivated Justin to sing and cry on that livestream: Was it purely artistic outlet? A therapeutic release? A message to fans? Or something else?

Without his own explanation, viewers are left to project their own interpretations — which inevitably reflect their own biases about his relationships with Selena and Hailey.

Expert Perspective: Mental Health & Celebrity Vulnerability

Psychologists who study celebrities and public figures note that mental health struggles often manifest publicly in social media behaviors like livestreams. Emotional breakdowns, tears, and raw performances can serve as a form of self-therapy, or as a way to process grief, loss, or past trauma.

Public Crying ≠ Romantic ConfessionExperts warn that interpreting a public figure’s emotional moment as inherently romantic or manipulative can oversimplify mental-health dynamics.

Audience ProjectionFans often project their narratives onto celebrities: Jelena fans want a rekindling, Hailey fans want a denial, and critics might see public crying as a PR stunt.

Privacy vs. Public PerformanceFor someone in Justin’s position, public vulnerability is both a risk and an outlet. While he may be sharing his pain, he is doing so in a performative context, which complicates how genuine or staged his emotions may appear.

Risk to Hailey & Their Marriage

The clip has opened up a new front of speculation:

Public Trust: If a significant portion of fans buys into the narrative that Justin is still emotionally attached to Selena, it could undermine public confidence in his commitment to Hailey.

Media Pressure: The media will likely continue to interrogate these moments, asking whether Hailey is being overshadowed by his past.

Personal Toll: Constant public drama and speculation can take a toll on any relationship. If Justin is struggling emotionally, Hailey might also be dealing with stress, both personally and from external scrutiny.

Conclusion

Based on the available evidence, there is reason for fans to be concerned or curious: Justin Bieber’s livestream behavior has triggered serious speculation about his emotional state and past. But there is not yet conclusive proof that he explicitly disrespected Hailey by crying and singing about Selena in a manipulative or intentional way.