Hailey Bieber and Selena Gomez both graced the Academy Museum Gala red carpet in Los Angeles with their presence over the weekend. Though the Rhode mogul, 27, and Rare Beauty founder, 31, were photographed separately, it appeared to fans on X (formerly Twitter) as though they “intentionally avoided” each other, unlike in the past when they took pictures together at the same event in 2022.
Coincidentally, the model and “Single Soon” singer both opted for stunning and chic black floor-length gowns with halter necklines that hugged their curves, creating a stir on social media with fans and fashion enthusiasts struggling to decide “who wore it better.” While many expressed love for Bieber’s glittery LBD moment, many also adored Gomez’s floral appliqué column piece.
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Hailey Bieber & Selena Gomez Both Rock Form-Fitting Halter Gowns on the Red Carpet
Bieber stepped out on the carpet in a sparkling, sequin-adorned black maxi gown by Saint Laurent. The style icon later posed with her friend and fellow model Kendall Jenner.
Bieber's halter neck dress featured a curve-hugging fit and she dazzled it up even more with layered silver bracelets, dangly earrings and a dark manicure.
As for her glam, the Vogue cover girl wore her trendy 'bronde' tresses in a slicked-back, elegant updo.
For her makeup look, Bieber sported black cat-eye winged liner, bronze eyeshadow, radiant blush on her high cheekbones and a peachy, glossy nude pout.
Gomez also chose a long black dress for the occasion, and hers also featured a slim, figure-hugging fit and a halter neckline.
Gomez's column Valentino frock had an Old Hollywood-esque feel with its captivating long train and matching opera-length gloves.
Her gown also boasted intricate silver rose details at the neckline and over her upper arms.
The "Lose You To Love Me" hitmaker added shimmering and dangly silver earrings as well as an eye-catching matching bracelet and statement ring.
The Only Murders in the Building actress also wore her raven locks in a slicked-back high bun and went for black winged eyeliner with sky-high lashes, smokey eyeshadow, radiant blush and a shiny nude lipstick.
The Academy Museum Gala in October 2022 saw Mrs. Bieber and Gomez embracing each other for a photo, causing a viral sensation on the internet.
Despite years of speculation regarding a feud between the two women, both of whom had a history of dating Justin Bieber (Hailey tying the knot with him in 2018), the pictures showed no signs of animosity between them.
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In the days leading up to that memorable moment, Hailey had a conversation on the popular Call Her Daddy podcast regarding her position with the "Wolves" crooner.
"It’s all respect. It’s all love," she said while stressing that she was never intimate with Justin, 29, when he was with Gomez. "That’s also why I feel like … well … if everybody on our side knows what happened and we’re good and we can walk away from it with clarity and respect, then that’s fine. That brought me a lot of peace. We know what happened. It is what it is."
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Speculation arose among fans in early 2023 that tension between Gomez, Hailey, and Kylie Jenner had resurfaced after the latter two were accused of being shady towards the Dead Don't Die star in a TikTok video.
Jenner, however, denied the accusation. Gomez responded, according to many fans, by seemingly "throwing shade" at Hailey in a comment under an old video where the Victoria's Secret alum appeared to criticize Gomez's best friend, Taylor Swift. Fans spent weeks pitting the three against each other until both Gomez and the model finally addressed the drama.
In March 2023, Gomez wrote in an Instagram Story post: "Hailey Bieber reached out to me and let me know that she has been receiving death threats and such hateful negativity." Gomez added: "This isn't what I stand for. No one should have to experience hate or bullying. I've always advocated for kindness and really want this all to stop."
In a post on her own IG page, Hailey composed a response to Gomez. "I want to thank Selena for speaking out, as her and I have been discussing the last few weeks how to move past this ongoing narrative between her and I."
She added: "The last few weeks have been very hard for everyone involved and millions of people are seeing so much hate around this which is extremely harmful. While social media is an incredible way to connect and build community, moments like this only create extreme division instead of bringing people together."
