Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber’s Adorable First Meeting Will Melt Your Heart
- Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin first met when they were teenagers.
- Their relationship blossomed in 2018, and they got engaged shortly after.
- Their whirlwind romance led to marriage, and they later welcomed a son.
When we think of Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin (now Bieber), we usually picture their glamorous life full of fancy events, endless Instagram posts. But what if we told you their romance didn’t begin in a star-studded club or a red carpet event?
Nope, it all started years ago, in a much less glamorous setting—and we’re here to break it all down. Believe it or not, their story goes way back to 2009 when they were just two teenagers, not the famous couple we know today. They were introduced at a very unremarkable meet-and-greet backstage at a Today show event.
So, how did they go from a brief, shy introduction to being one of the most talked-about celebrity couples? Let’s walk through their story—from their first awkward meeting to their engagement, marriage, and beyond.
When Did Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber Meet?
It all started in 2009, at a backstage meet-and-greet for one of Justin Bieber’s Today show performances. Hailey Bieber, who was with her dad, actor Stephen Baldwin, was introduced to J-Beebs thanks to her dad’s friendship with the singer’s mom, Pattie Mallette. The moment was just a simple handshake.
At that time, Bieber was already starting to get attention as a pop star, but Hailey was just a regular 12-year-old girl, not thinking that years later, she’d be standing next to him at the altar.
Fast forward to 2014, and the two were hanging out, still as friends. They had stayed in touch over the years, mostly through their shared connection to the Baldwin family and the Bieber family, but their relationship didn’t turn romantic right away.
It wasn’t until later that the sparks began to fly, but let’s be clear, it wasn’t some magical, love-at-first-sight moment. Instead, they spent time together, grew closer, and started realizing that maybe they were more than just friends.
How Old were Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber When They Started Dating?
If you’re wondering how old Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber were when they officially started dating, the answer is 2015. Bieber was 21, and the Rhode founder was just 18 at the time. But when they first started hanging out in 2015, it wasn’t an exclusive relationship. In fact, they were both kind of figuring things out.
In early 2016, Bieber opened up about their connection in a GQ interview. He admitted that although he really liked Hailey and they spent a lot of time together, the STAY star wasn’t ready to commit to anything serious. Bieber said:
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.
Hailey was also on the same page. She told E! News that they weren’t an “exclusive couple” because they were both busy with their careers. In fact, they ended up taking a break from each other in 2016.
The two had a “dramatic” split, with Hailey later saying that when she’d walk into a room, Bieber would walk out. Yeah, that’s some serious awkwardness. But, as we know, they didn’t stay apart forever.
In 2018, after Bieber had a brief reunion with his on-again, off-again girlfriend Selena Gomez, things between the two took a turn. They reconnected in a church conference in Miami, and this time, there was no turning back.
When Did Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber Marry?
Once Bieber and Hailey got back together in 2018, things started moving fast—really fast. They got engaged in July 2018, just a few months after they rekindled their romance. Bieber popped the question during a romantic dinner while they were on vacation in the Bahamas.
The couple didn’t waste any time sharing the good news. Two days later, the pop star shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, declaring his love for the model and committing to spending his life with her.
Despite the quick engagement, the couple didn’t rush to have a big wedding right away. In fact, they tied the knot in a super low-key civil ceremony at a courthouse in New York City on September 13, 2018. Hailey wore a simple white outfit, and the whole thing was very intimate and private.
It wasn’t until over a year later that they had their big wedding celebration. On September 30, 2019, the couple threw a gorgeous wedding ceremony at the Montage Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina (as reported by PEOPLE). The ceremony was a big celebration with over 150 family and friends in attendance.
Soon in 2024, the pair shared the news of their baby boy, Jack Blues Bieber, on Instagram. They named him after Bieber’s dad’s middle name and kept the Bieber tradition of giving their kids the “JB” initials.
Who Did Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber Date Before They Got Together?
Before Bieber and Hailey became the “it” couple we know today, they both had their fair share of relationships. Let’s break it down: Bieber and Selena Gomez had an on-and-off relationship for years, starting when they were teenagers.
Their love story was full of drama, but it came to an end for good in early 2018. Selly’s mom also reportedly didn’t approve of Bieber, which probably contributed to their final breakup.
Bieber also briefly dated Lionel Richie’s daughter, Sofia Richie, in 2016. Their relationship lasted only a couple of months before they split. According to Us Weekly, his name was also linked to Baskin Champion, Paola Paulin, Nicola Peltz, Chantel Jeffries, Adriana Lima, Jayde Pierce, Barbara Palvin, Caitlin Beadles, and more!
On Hailey’s side, she had some interesting connections too. In 2016, she and rapper Drake were spotted getting cozy, sparking dating rumors. They even had dinner together, and Hailey was seen wearing Drake’s necklace, but it didn’t turn into anything serious (per Cosmopolitan).
The following year, in 2017, Hailey was briefly linked to NBA player Jordan Clarkson, another short-lived fling. In 2018, she made headlines after attending the Met Gala with Shawn Mendes. The Canadian singer later confirmed to Rolling Stone that it was more of a “casual” relationship.
Before they found each other, both Bieber and Hailey had their fair share of relationships and flings. But in the end, they both ended up with each other, proving that the real deal was always meant to be.
