It’s been seven years since the stars were first spotted out together
THE BEGINNING
Although they initially wrote off their 2010 date at a Philadelphia IHOP as a friendly hangout, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez finally went public as a couple at the Vanity Fair Oscars Party in February 2011. That same year, Gomez opened up to Seventeen about coming forward with their relationship after months of being coy.
"I don't like hiding. I do like to keep certain things to myself, but at the end of the day, I'm 18 and I'm going to fall in love," she revealed. "I'm going to hang out with people and I'm going to explore myself, and I'm okay with that."
FEELING THE LOVE
After bringing their relationship into the spotlight, the performers became more comfortable with packing on the PDA at high-profile events, like they did at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards, with Bieber and Gomez sharing a kiss as he accepted one of his many awards. Bieber even planted a smooch on his girlfriend's cheek while she cohosted the MTV VMAs pre-show in August. "I don't ever want her to feel like I'm ashamed of her," Bieber told Oprah Winfrey in 2012 of his decision to go public with his relationshipdespite fan backlash.
'ROMANCE ISN'T DEAD'
In September 2011, Bieber reportedly rented out the Staples Center in L.A. for the couple's date night, which included a candlelit dinner on the court, followed by a private screening of Titanic. After their over-the-top get-together, Bieber tweeted: "Romance [isn't] dead. Treat your lady right fellas."
BABY DADDY DRAMA
Despite their picture-perfect romance, which included a PDA-heavy appearance at the 2011 American Music Awards, Bieber was embroiled in weeks-long accusations that he fathered a baby with a fan, Mariah Yeater. In November, paternity tests were completed, subsequently debunking Yeater's claims.
TROUBLE IN PARADISE?
A few months after Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, shot down rumors that the singers were engaged, breakup rumors began to plague the couple in September 2012. "It's really fun. I'm lucky. I'm 20. I don't take anything in my personal life too seriously," she told Teen Vogue. "I have great friends and a solid group of people I love. I feel like everything else will come organically."
IT'S OFFICIAL
After a whirlwind romance that spanned two years, the duo called it quits in November 2012. "She broke up with him about a week ago," a source told PEOPLE. "With them being apart so much it got complicated. She had some trust issues. It's not easy, but the relationship needed to end." A few days later, the couple was spotted grabbing dinner together — though the reunion still led to an uncoupling.
CRY ME A RIVER
The new year introduced the world to a newly single Gomez, who opened up about the breakup during a March 2013 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, revealing her current relationship status (single!) and that she made her famous ex cry.
STAYING SOCIAL
Bieber seemed to be toying with his fans and fellow Jelena shippers' hearts for a good chunk of 2013 whenever he'd post cuddly throwback pics of himself and his ex. An April 2013 photo in particular featured Gomez wrapping her arms around a shirtless Bieber. His caption read: " 'You've been makin music for too long babe come cuddle' -her." The rampant reconciliation rumors turned out to hold some truth. In April 2013, an insider told PEOPLE Gomez traveled to Oslo, Norway, to be with Bieber during his performance. "They were holding hands, hugging and they kissed on the lips," said the source. "They looked really in love, like no fights ever happened before. It definitely looked like they were back together."
IT'S ALL LOVE
Although Bieber told radio host Big Boy that he and Gomez were in an off phase of their relationship, the singer did reveal that he would always care about the starlet. "[The breakup] affected us, especially when we are in front of so many people," Bieber said in December 2013, adding that his song "All That Matters" is about his ex. "It's such a public thing. It's just hard for the both of us. But you know, she's a great woman. I love her [to] this day."
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