Model and Rhode founder Hailey Bieber has shared a nostalgic glimpse into her past, posting a collection of personal throwback photos to Instagram that included a particularly intimate moment with her now-husband, Justin Bieber.
A Decade-Old Romantic Moment Resurfaces
Participating in a popular social media trend of revisiting photos from ten years ago, the 29-year-old posted a carousel of images from 2016. The most striking snapshot captures a young Hailey and Justin sharing a steamy kiss at sunset, with an ocean view in the distance. In the image, her hair is styled in a simple ponytail while Justin cups her face.
This tender moment is particularly poignant given the couple's complex history. They were first romantically linked in 2014 but experienced a very public and difficult breakup just two years later. Hailey previously described the 2016 split to Vogue as "a very dramatic excommunication," noting a period where "if I walked into a room, he would walk out." The pair, however, reconnected in 2018 and married in a civil ceremony at a Manhattan courthouse that same September, followed by a larger wedding with family and friends in 2019.
Building a Family and Addressing the Spotlight
The throwback post arrives as the Biebers have firmly entered a new chapter. In August 2024, they welcomed their first child, a son named Jack Blues. In recent interviews, Hailey has opened up about motherhood and her marriage under constant public scrutiny.
Speaking to GQ late last year, she expressed comfort with their current approach to privacy. "We're just taking it a day at a time," she explained, emphasising their protective feelings towards their son. She also hinted at expanding their family, telling the 'In Your Dreams' podcast, "I know I want more than one" child, and later noting to GQ that she feels "much more prepared to do it again."
Hailey has also publicly praised Justin's support, telling Vogue she has "learned so much" from him about navigating fame. Justin, in turn, has called marrying Hailey "the smartest thing I've ever done."
Beyond the Kiss: 2016 Memories and Denying Rumours
The Instagram post wasn't solely about her romance. It featured an assortment of other memories from that year, including photos with friends Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, and Bella Hadid, showcasing different hairstyles from pink locks to light blonde. Captioning the collection, Hailey simply wrote: "you just had to be there."
This social media activity follows an incident where Hailey forcefully denied reposting a viral TikTok video that critically analysed her marriage. The video had labelled her a "tolerant co-dependent" in a relationship with a "mediocre, abusive addict." In response, Hailey shared an Instagram Story of an iced tea with the caption: "Hey, I know you guys who live on the internet are really bored, but I didn't repost any video speaking on my relationship. Have a beautiful Saturday!"
The nostalgic post ultimately paints a picture of a woman reflecting on a transformative decade—from a young model navigating a high-profile on-again, off-again romance to a married businesswoman and mother, consciously curating her life in the public eye.
