Here's what's going on between Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Kylie Jenner — and why social media is calling it 'mean girl' drama

• Speculation that there's major drama between Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Kylie Jenner has taken the internet by storm.
• Users believe a series of recent posts by Jenner and Bieber aimed to mock Gomez.

Rumors of drama between Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Kylie Jenner have aflared the internet, leading users to speculate the "mean girl" drama is related to Gomez's recent departure from social media.

Bieber and Gomez, who've been long the subjects of internet drama scrutiny over both their romantic ties to Justin Bieber, took a photo together in October to try to squash feud rumors for good. However, a series of recent online slights has seemingly reignited an entangling tension between the two stars — and now a Kardashian-Jenner member is involved.

Here's how we got here, and the clues fans have been piecing together over the past few weeks.

In early January, Gomez faced body-shaming scrutiny after paparazzi photos of the 30-year-old singer and actress in a swimsuit were published while she was on vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Shortly after, Hailey Bieber shared a TikTok of herself, Kendall Jenner, and Justine Skye lip-syncing to audio that said, "I'm not saying she deserves it, but I'm saying God's timing is always right." Some users perceived this as the girls mocking Gomez. Bieber has since deleted the video, but the footage has been re-uploaded online several times.

TikToker Rivet Soro, who reposted the TikTok on January 6, told viewers she was trying to figure out if the video was "innocent" or meant to send a "message to someone."

Screenshots shared by users claimed to show Gomez commented on the video. "It's okay! I don't let these things get me down! Be nice to everyone!" the comment apparently read.

Screenshots also show a comment from Bieber as well that said: "I never comment on this type of thing but we were just having a girls night and did a random TikTok sound for fun. It's not directed at anyone."

Gomez, who's publicly discussed having lupus and a bipolar disorder diagnosis, felt the need to address her weight gain earlier this month. She told viewers in a February 16 TikTok Live that her weight fluctuates depending on her medications. (The Live is no longer viewable on the app, but footage of it has been reuploaded by users).

"We have days where maybe we feel like shit, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself," Gomez said. "My medications are important, and I believe they are what helps me." Gomez told viewers that she was "not a model," adding, "I think they're awesome, mind you, I'm just definitely not that."

On Thursday, Gomez, who now holds 383 million Instagram followers, became the most-followed woman on the platform, dethroning Kylie Jenner (with 380 million followers).

Then, this week, in what seemed like a completely unrelated event, Gomez posted a lighthearted series of photos and videos on social media, joking with fans that she had "accidentally laminated my brows too much."

Shortly after, Jenner posted two cryptic photos to her Instagram story that fans believe to be snubs at Gomez. First was a selfie with a caption that read "This was an accident?????" written in text placed over her brows. Then, Jenner shared a screenshot of a FaceTime call with Bieber in which the pair zoom in on their eyebrows.

On TikTok, floods of users commented on the rumors, calling it 'mean girl" and "childish" behavior. "It's not a coincidence anymore" a top commenter wrote on a viral TikTok recapping the ordeal.

Jenner commented on a February 22 TikTok that called her out for "shading Selena Gomez," denying those intentions. Gomez then chimed in, trying to calm her supporters down.

"This is reaching," Jenner wrote. "No shade towards Selena ever and I didn't see her eyebrow posts! You guys are making something out of nothing. This is silly."

Gomez responded to Jenner, writing "Agreed @kyliejenner. It's all unnecessary. I'm a fan of Kylie!"

However, over the last few days, Gomez made comments on TikToks that fans took to mean she was no longer copacetic and is now fighting back. On Thursday, Gomez commented beneath a TikTok of resurfaced old footage of Beiber sticking out her tongue when Taylor Swift's album was mentioned.

"So sorry, my best friend is and continues to be one of the best in the game," she wrote, defending her fellow songstress.

Gomez also commented "I love you" beneath a video from Thursday wherein a TikToker defended Gomez amid all of these rumors, before calling Bieber and Jenner "nepo babies," "mean girls" and "bitches," as Insider's Esme Mazzeo previously reported.

While the three stars seem to be intentionally keeping any spats between them vague, the reactions online have reached a fervor. While some users are also accusing Gomez of stoking the drama, many are rushing to the singer's defense. People are picking sides by following and unfollowing their accounts.

Gomez has seen a major bump to both her TikTok and Instagram accounts. "Just because of this I went and followed Selena on IG even though I never go on there," a commenter wrote.

Some are even flooding Bieber's TikTok videos with tags of Gomez's Rare Beauty cosmetic line.

As perceived slights and speculation continue to take over social media, Gomez announced in a TikTok Live that she needs a break from it altogether.

"I'm so blessed. I have the best friends, the best fans in the whole world, and I just couldn't be happier. I'm good," she said. "I love who I am. And, yeah. I'm gonna be taking a second from social media 'cause it's... this is a little silly. I'm 30. I'm too old for this."

Gomez has edited her most recent caption on Instagram to add "(taking a break from social)." She then deactivated her TikTok account on Thursday, but it's since been reactivated.

Gomez's team, nor Bieber nor Jenner's, have responded to Insider's requests for comment.