Selena Gomez is back in the spotlight—not just for her music, but for what many fans believe are pointed lyrics directed at her famous ex, Justin Bieber, and perhaps, by extension, his wife, Hailey Bieber.
Her latest album, I Said I Love You First, has ignited a firestorm of speculation, especially due to a few emotional and direct tracks that seem to touch on betrayal, heartbreak, and being replaced. The question on everyone’s mind: Is Selena throwing shade at Hailey Bieber years after her final split from Justin?
Selena’s new track, “How Does It Feel To Be Forgotten,” is the first that’s been flagged as a potential lyrical jab. On it, she sings:
“You’re so embarrassing / Go cry when no one’s watchin’ / I can’t imagine it / How does it feel to be forgotten?”
The line about crying when no one’s watching seems especially pointed, considering Justin Bieber has been open about his emotional struggles, even breaking down publicly on social media multiple times.
Fans quickly connected the dots, interpreting the lyrics as Selena reflecting on the pain of their relationship—possibly from a place of closure, but also from lingering hurt.
While Selena doesn’t name Justin or Hailey directly, this isn’t the first time fans have dissected her music for hidden messages about the infamous love triangle. The timeline of events fuels the theory. Selena and Justin started dating as teenagers in 2010, and their on-again, off-again romance became tabloid fodder for nearly a decade.
After one final reunion in 2017, the couple split for good in early 2018. Just months later, Justin rekindled his romance with model Hailey Baldwin (now Bieber), and the two married in a whirlwind ceremony that September.
To many fans, the speed of Justin’s new relationship felt like a gut-punch to Selena, and it’s a narrative that has never fully faded. Songs like “Lose You To Love Me,” released in 2019, were already believed to reflect on that heartbreak. But with I Said I Love You First, Gomez seems even more direct—and that has the internet buzzing.
Another song on the album, “Don’t Wanna Cry,” intensifies the speculation. On this emotional track, Selena sings:
“Left the door wide open for the whole wide world to see you / Then you kiss her right in front of me like I’m not even there / I should cause a scene for s–t you’ve done to me / The saddest part is we both know that I would never leave.”
It’s raw, emotional, and vulnerable. It paints the picture of someone witnessing the person they loved move on right in front of them—and feeling powerless in the moment. The reference to “kiss her right in front of me” has been interpreted by fans as a flashback to the early days of Justin and Hailey’s renewed romance, possibly when there was still overlap or unresolved feelings between Justin and Selena.
Then there’s the track “Younger and Hotter Than Me,” which some believe might be a thinly veiled reference to Hailey. In it, Gomez sings:
“Begging for more / X on my hand drawn in Sharpie / Now I use my own ID.”
The lyric about the Sharpie “X” alludes to being underage—something fans point out connects to Gomez’s age when she first began dating Bieber. At 18, she was still finding her footing in the world, while Bieber was just 16. The track reminisces about a more naïve time in her life—perhaps a contrast to her current sense of empowerment, but also a reflection on what she’s lost and learned.
Though the songs may contain veiled references, Gomez has publicly downplayed the idea that the album is just about her relationship with Justin. In a candid sit-down interview with Spotify, she said, “The whole album isn’t just about my life,” emphasizing that it was also inspired by “our experiences together,” referencing her fiancé and collaborator Benny Blanco. She added that some tracks stemmed from friendships, collective emotions, and broader life lessons.
Still, even she acknowledged that the album is about “both of our pasts and our history.” Fans took that as confirmation that her famous romance with Justin Bieber—one of the most highly publicized in modern pop culture—played at least a partial role in shaping the songs.
The timing of the album’s release has also added fuel to the speculation. It comes shortly after Justin and Hailey were seen together at several public events, seemingly putting on a united front amid quiet rumors of tension in their marriage. Fans noticed that Selena didn’t hold back on her record, even while she’s happily engaged to Benny Blanco. It’s the emotional weight of the past—and not current jealousy—that seems to be driving her lyrics.
The dynamic between Selena and Hailey has long been a magnet for internet drama, often pitting the two women against each other unfairly. In 2023, things came to a head when Hailey was accused of subtly mocking Selena in social media posts—something both women denied.
In response, Selena encouraged her fans to stop the hate, posting messages about kindness and empathy. Months later, the two women even posed for a photo together at a public event, signaling a truce.
Yet, despite outward appearances, the emotional wounds of the past don’t just disappear. For Gomez, her art has always been the most powerful outlet for working through personal pain. Whether she’s referencing Hailey directly or just channeling old emotions that resurface from time to time, fans believe that I Said I Love You First is one of her most personal albums to date.
So, did Selena Gomez throw shade at Hailey Bieber on her new album?
The answer is complicated. While she never mentions Hailey by name, there’s no doubt that the emotional content of the album stirs up memories of her relationship with Justin—and by extension, the very public way it ended.
Lyrics filled with heartbreak, bitterness, and empowerment suggest that Selena is reclaiming her narrative. Whether it’s shade or simply catharsis, it’s clear that the past still lingers in her music.
Gomez has made it clear that this record is about growth, healing, and owning her truth. It’s not about reliving the past—but about finally being ready to close that chapter. And if that means a few sharp lyrics along the way? So be it. As Selena herself once sang, “Look at her now.”
