Selena Gomez claps back at Hailey Bieber’s latest jab

Selena Gomez isn’t staying silent.

In the wake of remarks made by Hailey Bieber about competition in the beauty industry, Selena responded with a pointed message on social media that’s now gone viral.

The 33-year-old singer and entrepreneur addressed the comment directly, calling for kindness and an end to the recurring drama. This latest exchange has reignited interest in their long-standing public dynamic.

Here’s what you need to know today.

What sparked the latest interaction?

It all started with Hailey’s interview about her brand.

In an interview for The Wall Street Journal Magazine, Hailey, founder of Rhode Skin, discussed how she feels about comparisons between her brand and Selena’s Rare Beauty. She said, “It’s always annoying being pitted against other people. I didn’t ask for that.” and added, “I think there is space for everybody. I don’t feel competitive with people that I’m not inspired by.”

These comments quickly stirred speculation on social media that they were aimed at Selena. Neither Hailey nor her team named Selena directly, but the timing and the brands involved led fans to draw conclusions.

How did Selena respond?

She didn’t hold back.

Shortly after the interview’s comments circulated, Selena posted an Instagram Story (which was later deleted) saying: “Just leave the girl alone. She can say whatever she wants. Doesn’t affect my life whatsoever. It’s just about relevance not intelligence. Be kind. All brands inspire me. There is room for everyone. And hopefully we can all stop.”

This message struck many as both defensive and dismissive; defensive in that she addressed the perceived dig, and dismissive in her framing of the issue as a matter of relevance, not competition.

The history behind the tension

There’s context.

Selena and Hailey’s names have been linked for years, thanks to their pasts with Justin Bieber. Selena dated Justin on and off from 2011 to 2018, and Hailey married him in 2018. Over time, the trio’s intertwined personal and professional lives have made the two women regular targets of comparisons and alleged feud rumors.

While both have publicly denied any beef multiple times, the pattern of studied silence and social-media moves has kept the speculation alive. The latest exchange simply renewed interest in the dynamic.

Is this really about beauty brands or something more?

It might be both.

On the surface, the comments are tied to the beauty space: two high-profile women launching clean-beauty brands (Rare Beauty and Rhode Skin), both carried by major retailers and subjected to comparisons. Hailey’s comments about not feeling competitive with people she’s not inspired by could be a defence of her brand identity.

But Selena’s response suggests that she sees more than just business at play. Her tone, “relevance not intelligence”, hints at feeling professionally slighted or dismissed beyond mere brand talk. Whether it’s rivalry, personal history, or a mix of both, the conversation taps into broader issues of women in business, comparison culture, and celebrity.

Fan reactions and social-media fire

The internet is buzzing.

Fans on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok have weighed in heavily. Some support Selena’s call for kindness and peace. Others argue that Selena’s message itself carries shade. Meanwhile, others side with Hailey, saying her interview comments were fair.

The viral nature of fan commentary has also prompted clarification pieces noting that while Hailey’s comments triggered the uproar, she officially said her remarks were not about Selena, and the post supposedly from Hailey clapping back at Selena was later debunked as fake.

Where do both women stand now?

Different strategies, different goals.

Reports say Selena is now more focused on her marriage to producer Benny Blanco (married September 2025) and shifting away from drama. Insiders suggest she wants to “be the mature one” and keep the spotlight on her music and wellness advocacy rather than celebrity squabbles.

On the other hand, Hailey remains active in launching and promoting Rhode Skin, and although her representatives confirm comments weren’t aimed at Selena, the social-media ripple suggests the plan is already out there.

Neither side appears to be walking toward a public reconciliation just yet.

Why this matters

Beyond the gossip.

This exchange touches on issues that resonate with busy U.S. readers: how influential women handle competition, speak about each other in public, and manage legacy comparisons. It’s rare when big names in overlapping industries (celebrity + beauty + music) engage in almost-but-not-quite confrontation.

Plus, for fans of Selena and Hailey, the moment offers a reminder that the lines between brand rivalry and personal history are blurred in pop culture. Either way, plenty of eyes will be watching what both do next.

What could happen next?

• One possible path: Selena stays silent publicly now and lets her work speak, forcing the narrative to shift back to her upcoming projects.
• Another: Hailey doubles down on her brand message and uses the attention to further promote Rhode Skin, intentionally or not drawing the comparison.
• Or we might see a rare joint appearance or comment meant to dampen the feud once and for all. But given how the last attempt at a “peace photo” went in 2022, that seems unlikely.
  Either way, expect more subtle social-media moves (stories, reposts, dodged questions) rather than full-blown interviews.

Final thought

At its core, this isn’t about who said what first. It’s about how two influential figures navigate public comparisons in overlapping arenas.

Selena’s response was bold but wrapped in a plea for kindness. Hailey’s original remarks may have been about business, but they triggered personal echoes. For U.S. readers used to celebrity feuds, this one has both familiar echoes and fresh twists.

TL;DR

• Hailey Bieber said in a WSJ interview that she “doesn’t feel competitive with people that I’m not inspired by,” which sparked speculation toward Selena Gomez.
• Selena posted a now-deleted Instagram Story responding: “She can say whatever she wants… It’s just about relevance, not intelligence. Be kind. All brands inspire me.”
• The two have shared a long, complex history tied to Justin Bieber and their respective beauty brands.
• The issue touches on business rivalry, personal history, and celebrity culture, not just a brand blur.
• Selena is reportedly focused on peace and her new marriage to Benny Blanco, while Hailey remains engaged in her brand launches and public image.
• Looking ahead: either working moments will dominate, or more social-media jabs will follow, full reconciliation seems unlikely just yet.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.