Even though Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber have long gone their separate ways and are now thriving in new relationships, fans can’t seem to let go of the past. The emotional ties to the once-iconic couple—nicknamed “Jelena”—remain strong on social media, despite the passage of time and significant life changes for both stars.
Gomez recently collaborated on a new album with her fiancé, music producer Benny Blanco. Meanwhile, Bieber has been married to model Hailey Bieber since 2018, and the couple welcomed their first child last year. Yet, scroll through Instagram or TikTok, and you’ll still find fan edits, emotional posts, and throwback videos of Gomez and Bieber’s dramatic romance.
So, why are fans still holding on to this old love story? Mental health professionals say it all comes down to storytelling, emotional reflection, and the human tendency to romanticize the past.
The Psychology Behind Celebrity Couple Obsession
According to Jennifer Teplin, a licensed therapist and founder of Manhattan Wellness, people become attached not just to celebrities, but to the story they create. Fans often build narratives around these relationships—projecting hopes, dreams, and even personal desires onto famous couples.
“We love a good narrative. We love characters. And with celebrities, we only see what they choose to show us,” Teplin explains. “Their stories feel like a movie or TV show we’re invested in.”
This idea applies to many celebrity couples—not just Gomez and Bieber. When Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt shared a friendly moment at the 2020 SAG Awards, fans flooded the internet with hopes for a reunion. Taylor Swift’s current romance with NFL star Travis Kelce hasn’t stopped some fans from calling themselves “Joe’s widows,” referring to her past relationship with actor Joe Alwyn.
Reflecting Our Own Emotions Through Celebrities
Therapists say the emotions we feel toward celebrity couples can mirror our own relationship experiences. BetterHelp therapist Sreela Roy-Greene says fans often relate to the highs and lows of these public romances. In some cases, fans project their own unresolved emotions onto celebrity relationships.
“People might see their own past relationships in what they witness online,” Roy-Greene says. “They hold on to what might have been, much like when we remember an ex from our own lives.”
This emotional connection can become even stronger when celebrities reunite after a breakup. Take Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, who briefly got back together years after their first split. Fans saw their reunion as a symbol of hope—that lost love could be found again. Unfortunately, they divorced less than a year after marrying.
When Fantasy Becomes a Barrier to Healing
Holding on to these romanticized relationships can become problematic. Roy-Greene explains that sometimes we cling to “the one that got away,” not because of the person themselves, but because of the dreams we built around them.
“You thought this person held all the ideals you wanted in a partner. When things were good, they were great,” she says.
But that longing can prevent real growth. Allison Raskin, author and relationship coach, emphasizes that we often confuse who we were during the relationship with who we are now.
“Maybe you were happier or had fewer responsibilities back then, but that doesn’t mean the relationship was perfect,” Raskin says. “Also, what are the chances that today’s version of you is still compatible with today’s version of them?”
Celebrity Nostalgia Is Part of Pop Culture
The emotional pull of past celebrity couples is also fueled by nostalgia. These relationships often represent a certain time in fans’ lives—perhaps when they were younger, more carefree, or more hopeful. Seeing those couples brought back to life online brings comfort, even if the relationship has long ended.
But mental health experts warn that viewing old relationships through “rose-colored glasses” can stop people from fully accepting the present.
“As humans, we tend to ignore the bad and focus on the good to protect ourselves,” Teplin says. “But this can make it harder to let go and move forward.”
Moving On in Reality, Not Fantasy
While it’s natural to hold fond memories of a past relationship—celebrity or personal—experts say that healing requires facing the truth of why the relationship ended. In many cases, breakups happen for very real and unavoidable reasons.
“It’s not just the person we miss. It’s the idea of what could’ve been,” Raskin explains. “It’s the imagined future we have to mourn.”
With celebrities like Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber clearly happy in their new lives, it’s important for fans to support their growth—and maybe reflect on their own emotional journeys, too.
