Selena Gomez made her radiant return to the public event scene today, attending the photo call for Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation in a spring-ready cream mini dress. It was Gomez's first event since she attended the Coach fashion show on February 13. Back then, she would fly from New York to Los Angeles the next day so she could have a super PDAy Valentine's Day date with her then-on boyfriend Justin Bieber. Oh, the memories...
Because today, Bieber and Gomez remain on a break that's reportedly becoming a permanent breakup by Gomez's choosing. Bieber did nothing to help himself this afternoon, as around the time of Gomez's photo call, Bieber's most recent fling Baskin Champion was photographed arriving at his house. It's bad optics for Bieber, at the very least, if he's truly trying to resurrect Jelena like tabloids have reported he is.
Gomez voices Mavis in Hotel Transylvania 3, so this is her first time promoting a film project this year. And while Bieber was just "hanging" with Champion, Gomez was glowing and smiling amidst perfect lighting. These are the kind of photos you want circulating while your on-off ex is with another girl but reportedly still pining after you.
While Champion and Bieber were last seen at Holy Wednesday church service together days before Easter, their relationship was most clearly defined by E! at the end of March as "not dating." Then, a source told E! that "Justin seems very into Baskin and like they are very comfortable together. They are having fun and always laughing and flirting." That said, the source added that "Justin has been upset about the recent break from Selena and is trying to keep busy until they work things out. Justin was introduced to Baskin through his friend group and they have only hung out a few times. He has definitely been liking her company, but to say they are dating is a huge stretch. Justin isn't trying to be serious with anyone but Selena."
Most recently, a source close to Bieber told People in early April that Bieber just wants to get back together with Gomez. "He loves her. He wants her back,” the source said, adding that Bieber “misses” Gomez. That talk so far hasn't been enough to bring Gomez back to him yet—or keep Champion from him publicly.
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.
