A complete timeline of Hailey Baldwin and Justin Bieber's relationship
- Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin) and Justin Bieber got married in 2018 after a whirlwind engagement.
- The young couple had known each other for almost a decade and previously dated non-exclusively.
Sara Hendricks contributed reporting to an earlier version of this story.
2009: Justin and Hailey met at a fan event
According to 234Star.com, Justin and Hailey first met at a fan event (for Justin, not Hailey) in 2009.
Hailey, who was 12 at the time, was there with her father Stephen Baldwin, and kept her arms firmly crossed throughout their entire encounter.
February 2011: Hailey attended another Bieber Fever event
Stephen Baldwin brought his daughter to the New York City premiere of "Never Say Never" in 2011.
"I was never a superfan, of him or of anyone," Hailey later explained in an interview with Vogue. "It was never that crazed, screaming thing. I didn't think about it in any kind of way except for the fact that he was cute. Everybody had a crush on him. But for the first few years we had a weird age gap."
November 2014: Justin and Hailey went to church together
Justin and Hailey were spotted together at Hillsong Church (with Kendall Jenner), which sparked speculation that they were dating.
Around the same time, Justin had broken up with his on-again, off-again girlfriend, Selena Gomez. It was not Justin and Gomez's first breakup, and it wouldn't be their last.
December 2014: The pair fended off dating rumors
After they were seen together at church, Justin and Hailey denied any romantic involvement.
In an interview with E! News, Hailey said, "I've known him since I was so young — since I was like 13 — and we've just been good friends over the years. We have just stayed close and there's nothing more to it than that."
Justin voiced a similar sentiment on Instagram when he shared a photo of him and Hailey captioned, "People are crazy. I'm super single and this is my good friend u would know otherwise."
January 2015: They celebrated New Year's Eve together
Justin and Hailey managed to maintain their friendship in the face of relationship rumors and celebrated the start of 2015 together. Justin even shared a video of a party they attended.
July 2015: Justin and Hailey got matching tattoos
In the summer of 2015, Justin and Hailey got matching "G" tattoos.
They got inked in honor of Georgia Veach, the young daughter of Chad Veach, a pastor at Hillsong Church. Georgia was born with a rare condition characterized by a lack of folds in the brain.
"This is for the strongest couple i know Chad and Julia Veach!" Justin wrote on Instagram. "Their daughter was born with Lissencephaly. She is incredible and has the sweetest soul. You guys make me better and I'm blessed to have you in my life."
December 2015: Hailey went on vacation with Justin's family
Throughout their tropical vacation, Justin posted a flurry of photos with Hailey, his father, and his siblings — including one fan-favorite video of Justin teasing Hailey while she poses for the camera.
January 2016: Justin and Hailey spent another New Year's Eve together — but in a more romantic way
Justin and Hailey spent the start of 2016 together in St. Barts, where, according to People, they exchanged a New Year's kiss at Leonardo DiCaprio's New Year party.
Two days later, Bieber shared a blurry photo of them kissing.
February 2016: Justin and Hailey discussed their non-exclusive relationship
Justin and Hailey kinda-sorta confirmed their relationship in separate interviews after ringing in 2016 together. In an interview with GQ, Justin described Hailey as "someone I really love," but also said that he didn't want to "commit" to anything.
Hailey also confirmed that she and Justin were dating, but "not an exclusive couple," around the same time.
"He's about to go on tour," she told E! News. "Relationships at this age are already complicated, but I don't really like to talk about it because it's between me and him."
But Justin also hinted that he might like to marry Hailey one day, saying, "I know that in the past I've hurt people and said things that I didn't mean to make them happy in the moment. So now I'm just more so looking at the future, making sure I'm not damaging them. What if Hailey ends up being the girl I'm gonna marry, right?"
Sometime between February and August 2016, the two fell out
Hailey later told Vogue that, while she understood their relationship was not serious or exclusive, it ended very badly.
"Negative things happened that we still need to talk about and work through," she said in an interview published January 2019.
"'Fizzled' would not be the right word — it was more like a very dramatic excommunication," she added. "There was a period where if I walked into a room, he would walk out."
August 2016: Justin started dating Sofia Richie
Whatever had been going on between Justin and Hailey in early 2016 was over by August of that year, when Justin unfollowed Hailey on Instagram and started dating Sofia Richie.
Justin and Richie didn't date for very long — in fact, they were broken up by September — but Justin and Hailey's friendship remained in limbo for almost two years.
November 2017: Justin rekindled his relationship with Selena Gomez
Shortly after Justin was spotted out and about with model slash actress Paola Paulin, he reportedly drove to Gomez's house to hang out with other friends for an evening (while Gomez's boyfriend at the time, Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd, was on tour).
After Gomez and Tesfaye split, she was spotted cheering for Justin at a hockey game in Los Angeles while wearing his jersey. Us Weekly quickly confirmed the on-and-off couple were back together once again.
Bieber and Gomez called it quits for the last time in March 2018, four months after their reunion, according to E! News.
May 5, 2018: Hailey attended the Met Gala with Shawn Mendes
Hailey attended the 2018 Met Gala with singer Shawn Mendes, who helped make sure her dress looked great the whole night.
This sparked some dating rumors between the two, which both Hailey and Mendes denied.
Months later, Mendes admitted that the two were "more than friends," but not technically in a relationship. "I don't even wanna put a title on it. I think it was more of a zone of limbo," he told Rolling Stone.
June 2018: Justin and Hailey reconnected
According to the couple's interview with Vogue, they finally rekindled their relationship when they both attended a conference in Miami, hosted by pastor Rich Wilkerson Jr.
"The common denominator, I promise you, is always church," Hailey told Vogue. "By then we were past the drama. I just gave him a hug. By the end of the conference, he was like, 'We're not going to be friends.' I was like, 'We're not?'"
Throughout the month of June, Justin and Hailey embarked on a public unconfirmed-relationship tour unlike any other.
They cuddled in a club, they kissed in Domino Park, they directed traffic in the Hamptons, and, of course, they went to church together.
July 7, 2018: Justin proposed while they were on vacation in the Bahamas
During their tropical getaway, Hailey was photographed by fans wearing a massive diamond on her left ring finger. One year later, she confirmed via Instagram that Justin proposed on July 7.
At the time, neither Justin nor Hailey immediately confirmed the engagement. But Justin's father, Jeremy Bieber, posted different variations of being "proud" of his son on both Twitter and Instagram.
Steve Baldwin also appeared to be proud, as he tweeted — and then deleted — a cryptic tweet about husbands and wives.
July 9, 2018: Justin confirmed their engagement
Justin posted two Instagram photos with Hailey and called her the "love of my life," confirming their engagement.
"Was gonna wait a while to say anything but word travels fast, listen plain and simple Hailey I am soooo in love with everything about you!" he wrote. "So committed to spending my life getting to know every single part of you loving you patiently and kindly."
July 17, 2018: Hailey's bridal party was partly announced
A date for Justin and Hailey's wedding was still up in the air, but plans for the event already appeared to be in the works — at least as far as her bridal party was concerned.
Kim Basinger told Us Weekly that Hailey's sister Alaia and cousin Ireland were going to be in the wedding.
"Alaia and Ireland, they're in the wedding. So believe me, I just — it's cool!" Basinger said. "I think it's sweet. It's a very sweet thing."
Basinger married Hailey's uncle, Alec Baldwin, in 1993. The couple divorced in 2002.
July 29, 2018: Justin implied the wedding would be soon
Justin and Hailey were out and about in New York City when a TMZ cameraman asked Justin what might be next for him.
"What's next? Getting married," he replied.
As Cosmopolitan reported, Justin and Hailey were spotted meeting with a pastor around the same time.
August 2018: Hailey flaunted her engagement ring on the cover of Vogue Mexico
The model initially gave her Instagram followers a sneak peek of the ring four days earlier, but it was front and center when the September cover of Vogue Mexico was revealed.
The stunning cover shot, taken by photographer Bjorn Iooss, shows Hailey draping her right hand towards the camera to show off her sparkling ring.
Gemologist and diamond expert Grant Mobley told Insider that the ring has an estimated cost of $600,000 and appears to be about eight carats.
Justin worked with New York-based jeweler Jack Solow of Solow & Co.to design the ring, and the jeweler told People that Justin was very hands-on with the process.
"In the end, Justin wanted something that would gracefully accentuate Hailey's beautifully shaped hands," Solow told People. "We settled on an oval stone that was just exceptional in its length and grace."
September 2018: The couple moved in together
According to an interview with Vogue, published in January 2019, Hailey moved into Justin's home just outside Toronto in September.
The magazine also said they quickly began "squabbling over decorating decisions."
September 13, 2018: Justin and Hailey quietly tied the knot at a New York City courthouse
TMZ reported that "several eyewitnesses" spotted the happy couple at the Marriage Bureau in New York City, where marriage licenses are issued.
According to the anonymous eyewitnesses, Justin shed some tears and even told Hailey, "I can't wait to marry you, baby."
Vogue later confirmed that the two tied the knot at the courthouse.
Justin told the magazine that he was in the midst of a self-imposed celibacy to combat his "legitimate problem with sex." He said he had stopped deriving pleasure from it, and not having sex helped him feel closer to God.
"I wanted to rededicate myself to God in that way because I really felt it was better for the condition of my soul," he continued. "And I believe that God blessed me with Hailey as a result. There are perks. You get rewarded for good behavior."
The singer admitted that "a desire finally to have sex was one reason they sped to the courthouse," as paraphrased by Vogue's Rob Haskell.
September 14, 2018: Hailey denied reports that she and Justin had already gotten married
Citing anonymous inside sources, People confirmed the couple had been officially married at the courthouse.
"They went ahead and did it without listening to anyone," a source told People.
According to the outlet, a "religious source" also confirmed that Justin and Hailey are now legally married, but are planning to celebrate with friends and families soon.
Hailey, however, took to Twitter shortly after the news broke and denied the reports: "I understand where the speculation is coming from, but I'm not married yet!"
She later deleted the tweet.
September 18, 2018: Justin serenaded Hailey during a loved-up trip to London
The couple were in town for London Fashion Week, where Hailey attended the Adidas and JD show after collaborating with the brands as their "style creator."
Justin and Hailey were trailed by the paparazzi throughout the city as they visited some of its tourist hotspots — and the singer was even filmed busking outside Buckingham Palace.
A clip of the singer shows him saying, "That's the love of my life right there," while looking at Hailey and strumming on his guitar.
An eyewitness told E! News: "They were very affectionate, stopping on street corners to pull each other in close to kiss. They never let each other get too far and were always touching each other and laughing."
September 30, 2018: Justin introduced Hailey as his wife
Justin and Hailey paid a visit to the Stratford Perth Museum, which was hosting an exhibit about Bieber's rise to fame.
The museum's Instagram account posted an image of a message, apparently written to Justin, that reads: "I ❤️ you forever — Hailey B."
"We were so pleased to have such a warm and special guest visit the museum yesterday (along with her very special husband)," the post's caption reads.
At this point, neither Justin nor Hailey had confirmed they were officially married.
In a comment on the post, the museum further clarified: "Justin very graciously introduced Hailey as his wife. Perhaps just a term of endearment? We loved their visit."
November 15, 2018: Justin officially called Hailey his wife on Instagram
Justin shared a candid shot with Hailey using a simple caption: "My wife is awesome."
According to Elle, that wasn't originally the caption of his photo. It was apparently caption-less when he posted it on Instagram.
Fans took the post as an official confirmation of the couple's new relationship status.
November 16, 2018: Hailey changed her surname on social media to Bieber
The model, formerly known as Hailey Baldwin, now apparently goes by Hailey Rhode Bieber, Rhode being her middle name.
February 7, 2019: The Biebers posed together for the cover of Vogue
When the couple appeared on the iconic magazine cover together, they officially confirmed their September courthouse wedding and openly discussed the tribulations of marriage.
"We're coming from a really genuine place," Hailey said. "But we're two young people who are learning as we go."
"I'm not going to sit here and lie and say it's all a magical fantasy," she continued. "It's always going to be hard. It's a choice. You don't feel it every single day. You don't wake up every day saying, 'I'm absolutely so in love and you are perfect.' That's not what being married is. But there's something beautiful about it anyway — about wanting to fight for something, commit to building with someone."
September 13, 2019: Hailey celebrated their first wedding anniversary on Instagram
Hailey posted four adorable photos of the couple on her Instagram story.
"1 year of being your Mrs.," she captioned the first photo.
The model had recently opened up about their relationship for Vogue Australia's October cover story. Hailey told the magazine their relationship is "easier" now because they've "found a rhythm."
"I had never lived with someone before. I never had to cohabit with somebody in that way, so I was learning how to share space with someone for the first time," she said. "We were trying to bend in each other's direction and learn what was comfortable."
September 30, 2019: They had an official wedding ceremony in South Carolina
Justin and Hailey tied the knot for a second time at a traditional wedding, one year after getting officially married.
The Christian ceremony took place at luxury waterfront resort Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, Vulture reported, where the couple arrived by speedboat the day before.
It was later revealed their wedding had been postponed due to Justin's struggles with Lyme disease, mono, and anxiety.
"It was months of me being a new wife trying to help him figure out what was wrong and what was going on," Hailey told Elle. "Now he's perfectly healthy. But going through that and then trying to be like, 'So where does our wedding fit into this?' didn't feel like the vibe at all."
October 4, 2019: Hailey starred in Justin's music video for '10,000 Hours'
Justin's country duet with Dan + Shay was released alongside a romantic music video, which put each man's wife in the spotlight.
January 2020: Justin said he wants to have a baby with Hailey
"I'm gonna freaking crush this tour," Justin said during livestream on Instagram, four months ahead of his 2020 tour, which was eventually postponed due to COVID-19.
"You and me, traveling the world," he continued, speaking to Hailey, who was sitting next to him in a vehicle during the livestream. "Then, after the tour, we have a baby."
In response, Hailey appeared to say "potentially" or "eventually," then added, "a couple of years."
Two months later, during an appearance on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," Justin said Hailey will decide how many kids they have "because it's her body."
February 14, 2020: Justin released 'Changes,' which was apparently inspired by his wife
Justin's fifth studio album is stuffed with lyrics about domestic bliss, like "Fully committed, you're here for the stay down" and "All you ever really need is at home / We got the rest of our lives."
May 2020: Hailey starred in Justin's music video for 'Stuck With U'
Justin released the quarantine-themed duet with Ariana Grande alongside a star-studded music video, which doubled as a fundraiser for the First Responder Children's Foundation.
Hailey appears throughout the video in home-video clips with Justin.
October 18, 2020: Hailey got a 'J' tattoo in honor of her husband
The NYC artist Mr. K posted a picture of Hailey's "J" tattoo on Instagram, along with the caption "J is for @justinbieber."
The dainty ink is placed on Hailey's left ring finger.
December 31, 2020: Justin said he wanted to 'start trying' for a baby by the end of 2021
In a self-filmed clip from New Year's Eve, which was later aired in the Amazon Prime documentary "Justin Bieber: Our World," Justin told Hailey he wanted to "squish out a nugget" in 2021.
"In 2021?" Hailey asked, sounding shocked.
Justin clarified that he hopes to "start trying" by "the end of 2021," to which Hailey replied, "OK maybe. We shall see."
The conversation ended with Justin reassuring his wife, "It's up to you, babe."
March 19, 2021: Justin released 'Justice,' another album largely inspired by his wife
Although Justin's sixth studio album gestures vaguely at themes of social injustice and civil rights, he spends nearly the entire tracklist singing about Hailey, their relationship, and how he sees marriage as a balm for self-hatred.
April 2021: Justin said he spent his first year as a husband walking 'on eggshells'
The "Peaches" singer opened up to GQ about his relationship with Hailey and why their first year of marriage was "really tough."
"There was a lot, going back to the trauma stuff. There was just lack of trust," he said. "There was all these things that you don't want to admit to the person that you're with, because it's scary. You don't want to scare them off by saying, 'I'm scared.'"
Justin has said that becoming famous at an early age led him to use "pretty heavy drugs" and contributed to his struggles with mental illness. He has also said he "abused all of my relationships" and was "disrespectful to women" before getting married.
Justin told GQ he felt "compelled" to get married. "I just felt like that was my calling. Just to get married and have babies and do that whole thing," he said.
September 13, 2021: The couple attended the Met Gala together
The couple wore simple outfits to the fashionable event, which had the theme "In America: A Lexicon of Fashion."
November 2021: Hailey revealed that her mother persuaded her to stay married
During an episode of the podcast "In Good Faith with Chelsea & Judah Smith," Hailey said that her mother, Kennya Baldwin, had to get involved when she was at a breaking point in her marriage.
"I remember I called her a few different times, one particular time when we were in Brooklyn and I was calling her, I was crying, and I was like, 'I just can't do it. There's no way that I'm going to be able to do this if it's going to be like this forever,'" she said.
"And I just remember she was so calm on the phone and she was like, 'It's going to pass, and you're going to be fine and he's going to be healthy and we're here for you,'" Hailey continued.
Ultimately, Hailey said she committed to standing by her husband's side.
"I was in it. I made a decision. I know for a fact that I've loved this person for a very long time and now would not be the time to give up on him," Hailey explained while discussing Justin's mental health on the podcast. "I just wouldn't do that to him."
May 2022: Justin said he had an 'emotional breakdown' after realizing that marriage would not solve all of his problems
During an episode of Apple Music's "The Ebro Show," the pop star described marriage as a "journey."
"I remember when I first got married, I hit a little bit of an emotional breakdown because I thought marriage was going to fix all my problems and it didn't," Bieber told host Ebro Darden.
He added: "It just kind of was a reflection of like, 'Man, you're a bit of a hypocrite.'"
August 2022: Hailey said their relationship takes 'a lot of work' even though Justin is her 'best friend'
Speaking with Harper's Bazaar, the model discussed the difficulties that come with marriage, as well as the possibility of having children with Justin.
"At the end of the day, like, he's my best friend, but it still does take a lot of work to make it work," Hailey said. "And then I know eventually, when kids come in the picture, that's going to be a whole other season of navigating how to make that work."
She added: "There's a reason they say 'for better or for worse.' Like, that's for real!"
September 2022: Hailey denied that she 'stole' Justin from Gomez
Because Justin proposed to Hailey just a few months after he broke up with Gomez, some fans have speculated the relationships had overlapped.
Hailey denied these rumors during an appearance on the podcast "Call Her Daddy," insisting she would never have dated Justin if he were involved with someone else.
"It's not my character to mess with someone's relationship. I would just never do that. I was raised better than that," she said. "Like, I can say, period, point-blank, I was never with him when he was in a relationship with anybody. That's the end of it, and I had been involved with him since I was 18."
March 2023: Hailey drew renewed criticism from Gomez's fans
Fans of the "Rare" singer began to speculate that Hailey and her friends, namely Kylie Jenner, had been quietly shading Gomez in TikTok videos and other social media posts.
These theories went viral and led to a wave of backlash against Hailey and her apparent "mean girl" behavior.
It all came to a head when concertgoers led a chant of "Fuck Hailey!" during Justin's surprise performance at Rolling Loud.
Neither Justin nor Hailey has commented publicly on the backlash.