Fans Think Justin Bieber Took a Jab at Selena Gomez With a Birthday Party Favor
As TikTokers continue to pore over Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez’s history, Justin Bieber has offered no direct statement on the situation. But some fans think he indirectly made his opinion known—and took a slight jab at ex-girlfriend Selena—with a party favor from his 29th birthday party. Multiple guests shared photos of what appears to be a lighter cover with the words engraved: “I’m so thankful I didn’t end up with what I thought I wanted.”
Fans on Twitter saw took it as possibly throwing shade at Selena, with whom Justin was romantically on and off for eight years. Justin and Selena broke up for good in March 2018, and in June 2018, Justin started dating his now-wife, Hailey Bieber. They were engaged a month later and got married in September 2018.
Justin’s birthday party marks the first time he has shared new photos with Hailey since the TikTok drama emerged. It continues the overall strategy he and Hailey have employed of ignoring the fan drama and offering no direct comment on it.
It’s worth noting Justin’s party favor could have nothing to do with his love life and be about Justin’s life journey overall. But Justin has spoken before directly to Selena fans about Hailey being a blessing in his life in a bid to get them to stop harassing Hailey.
He said in a March 2019 comment, “I absolutely loved and love Selena she will always hold a place in my heart, but I am head over heels in love with my wife and she is absolutely the BEST THING that has ever happened to me period….This is a reply to all immature sick people who send Hailey hurtful messages like ‘he always goes back to Selena’ or ‘Selena is better for him’ YOU HAVE NO IDEA MY LIFE AND WHATs good for me. Hailey is my Bride period if you don’t like that or support that that means you don’t support me and if you don’t support me your not a fan nor a good person.”
Justin Bieber’s March 2019 statement on Selena and Hailey’s treatment after his marriage.
Selena, for what it’s worth, more overtly commented on the drama yesterday, asking people to be kinder on her TikTok. She wrote, “Please, please be kinder and consider others mental health. My heart has been heavy, and I only want good for everyone. All my love.”
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.