Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez haven't been seen out together since February 28. Some tabloids say this means they're off again, for now at least! Others say they're still on and this is meaningless, just natural distance for two very busy celebrities.
Some sources are saying Gomez's mom, who does not approve of their back-on union, is the reason for this Jelena pause. Others are saying Gomez is just overwhelmed by the public attention on her relationship and needs space to clear her head.
It's a lot! It's conflicting! It's slightly confusing, as a lot of different people are saying different things to different places! So let's detangle it. Here, what every source has said about the Jelena break across outlets. This is what "It's complicated" looks like in the tabloids.
Their Status These Days
E! broke the news that Jelena was on a break on March 7. A fight led to a breakup, a source said. "They were having a lot of little disagreements recently and one fight in particular blew up and caused them to decide to 'break up,' however, they've been in contact the entire time and their feelings for each other have not changed."
Us Weekly also reported on March 11 that Jelena is on a break, per multiple sources. "Justin and Selena decided to take a break to give her family some more time to heal and take in the idea of her and Justin being a couple again," a source said.
The Blast reported on March 13 this is just another typical off moment for Jelena in their endless on-off cycle. Sources close to the two said this "isn't the end. [They] were just arguing and not getting along." This is a "cooling off period" since the two had spent a lot of time together (Gomez spent 6 out of 7 days with Bieber a week before their split) and Gomez was traveling a lot. Also, The Blast's sources said they were never "100 percent exclusive."
...just like People's! Jelena was never "official" and hadn't defined their relationship, a source close to Bieber told People on March 8. The outlet described them as being "on a break," too.
But Entertainment Tonight reported they are NOT ON A BREAK. A source told the outlet on March 7 that Jelena is "still together." The distance between them is for "various reasons. It's not because they are broken up or taking a break. That doesn't mean things are perfect between them. They have issues just like any other couple."
Why They Broke Up
Us Weekly reports Gomez's mom, Mandy Teefey and her family, who do not approve of Bieber, are the main reason. "Justin's family loves Selena, but Selena's family has put her in a very conflicting spot because they still don't trust Justin," a source explained in the outlet's March 12 report. "Selena has tried to convince her family that Justin has changed…but her family just isn't budging right now."
Bieber has allegedly really affected things between Gomez and Teefey. "It's been hard for her because she is super close with her mom. Her mom was her rock when she was having her health complications." Gomez recently went public with a kidney transplant she had in the summer due to her lupus. Her friend and donor Francia Raisa also revealed Gomez "could have died" from complications after the procedure.
Us Weekly also reports, per a second source, that Bieber's selfishness is partly to blame for the break. "[He] doesn't care about anyone but himself," the source said. "The second she saw it, she walked away, especially now with her health. She knows she doesn't need him."
E! reports Gomez's family's disapproval of Bieber was part of it but also an argument about how they'd celebrate his birthday. Gomez ended up not attending his go-kart party with all his friends. She did go Instagram official with him though on the big day, March 1. "She's on a break with Justin partly because of family pressure but also because of some issues surrounding his birthday," a source told the outlet on March 13. "She wanted to have a quiet birthday celebration with Justin and he wanted to go big and involve all of his church friends. They had a disagreement that didn't end well."
People maintains Gomez's mother Mandy Teefey is not the reason they are on a break. "They're not on a break because of her relationship with her mom," a source told the outlet in its March 12 report. "They have their own issues and are always on and off. She wouldn't base her relationship off of what her mom thinks."
Entertainment Tonight, which maintains the two are still together, reported on March 12 that Gomez is taking time for herself because all the public attention has been tough. "Selena is very delicate; her 'comeback' to the spotlight has been tough—especially with the interest in her personal life with Justin and her mother," a source said. "She is taking time to herself. This is not the first time she has done this." Her strained relationship with her mother is an issue, though. "She wants to repair her relationship with her mother, that's a priority for her, too. She needs to figure out how to live the life she wants in the spotlight—if that's even possible."
How Soon They Will Get Back Together:
People's sources wouldn't be surprised if they got back together really quickly.
"They've been having disagreements, but it wouldn't be surprising if they're back together in a week," a source told People on March 12
A source close to Justin Bieber to People on March 8, "They weren't getting along and decided to take a break. It doesn't seem like a big deal and they will probably be fine soon again."
E!'s sources say they're still in contact and just felt a bit overwhelmed with all the public attention.
One said "likely not the end," in E!'s March 13 report. "[Gomez] wanted some time to clear her head and get away before figuring out what's coming next."
A second source told E! on March 7 that "they will absolutely get back together and they are not over, but they both need some time away from each other."
The Blast reports those in Jelena's inner circle fully expect them to reconcile shortly.
"There is no way they aren't talking a little bit already," a source told the outlet on March 13.
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.
