Let’s be honest. If you’ve spent any time on the internet over the last decade, you’ve seen it. That specific, slightly faded, angelic figure perched right on Justin Bieber’s left wrist. It’s the selena tattoo justin got back in 2013, and somehow, here we are in 2026, and people are still losing their minds over it.
It’s wild, really. Most people get a tattoo of their ex and have it blasted over with a giant black square or a panther the second the relationship sour. But not Justin. Even after years of marriage to Hailey, that face—inspired by a Selena Gomez Elle photoshoot—is still technically there. Kind of.
The Story Behind the Ink (And the 2013 Drama)
The tattoo didn't just appear out of nowhere. It was inked during the height of the "Jelena" era, a time when the world was obsessed with every "on-again" and "off-again" status update. The design is pretty unmistakable: it’s Selena with long, dark hair and angel wings.
For a lot of fans, it was the ultimate romantic gesture. For others? A massive red flag.
When Justin finally sat down with GQ for that famous video tour of his ink, he didn't even try to hide it. He pointed right to it and said, "This is my ex-girlfriend." He admitted he tried to "cut her face up with some shading," but—his words—"people still know."
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Why didn't he just remove it?
Removing a tattoo isn't like deleting a tweet. It’s painful, expensive, and takes forever. But it's more than that. Justin has always been vocal about his tattoos representing a map of his life. Even the messy parts. Even the parts that involve an ex-girlfriend who basically defined his late teens and early twenties.
The Shading, the Covers, and the 2026 Updates
Over the years, the selena tattoo justin fans obsess over has undergone some changes. If you look at high-res photos from recent world tours or his Instagram posts, the tattoo looks different than it did in 2013.
- The Shading Attempt: Shortly after their 2015 split, he added heavy shadows to the face. He wanted to blur the features so it looked like a generic angel. It didn't work. The silhouette is too iconic.
- The Watch Strategy: For a long time, Justin’s "solution" was just wearing massive watches or stacks of bracelets on his left wrist. Out of sight, out of mind, right?
- The Current State: In 2025 and 2026, eagle-eyed fans on Reddit and TikTok have noticed that the area around his wrist looks significantly darker. Some speculate he’s finally undergoing laser removal, while others think he’s just layering more "filler" tattoos around it to drown it out.
Is there a hidden "S" in his rose tattoo?
This is where the conspiracy theories get really deep. In late 2020, Justin got a large rose tattooed on his neck. Almost immediately, the internet erupted. Fans claimed they could see a "hidden S" for Selena in the folds of the petals.
Honestly? It's probably a stretch. Justin himself eventually came out and said the rose was a request from Hailey and that the thorns represented the hard times while the flower represented the beauty. But in the world of celebrity gossip, facts often take a backseat to a good story.
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What Hailey Bieber Actually Thinks
You’d think having your husband walk around with his ex-girlfriend's face on his arm would be a dealbreaker. But Hailey has been surprisingly chill about it—at least publicly.
During her 2022 "Call Her Daddy" interview, she made it clear that she doesn't feel like she's competing with a ghost. She basically said that everyone knows what happened, they’ve all moved on, and there’s a level of respect there. It’s a very mature take, even if the "Selena vs. Hailey" fans refuse to let the fire die out.
The Reality of Celebrity Tribute Tattoos
Justin isn't the only one with "regret ink."
- Pete Davidson: Famously covered up several Ariana Grande tattoos.
- Angelina Jolie: Had to laser off Billy Bob Thornton’s name.
- Zayn Malik: Has a tattoo of Perrie Edwards that he eventually covered.
The difference with the selena tattoo justin wears is the longevity. It has stayed on his skin through marriages, health scares, and career shifts. It’s a permanent reminder of a very public chapter of his life.
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Thinking of Getting a Partner's Face Tattooed?
If you're reading this because you're considering "pulling a Bieber" and inking your partner's face on your wrist, maybe... don't? Or at least, consider these things first:
- The "Jinx" Factor: Some tattoo artists swear that getting a name or face is the kiss of death for a relationship.
- The Placement: The wrist is incredibly visible. Unless you want to wear a Rolex 24/7, you're going to see that face every time you check your phone.
- The Shading Trap: As Justin learned, "shading it in" rarely works. If you want it gone, you usually have to go full blackout or laser.
Final Insights on the Ink
At the end of the day, the selena tattoo justin still sports is just a part of his story. It’s a relic of a different time in pop culture. Whether he eventually lasers it off entirely or keeps it as a faded memory, it serves as a fascinating look at how celebrities navigate their past in a world that never forgets.
If you're looking to follow the latest updates on his tattoo journey, keep an eye on his wrist during his next public appearance—the "shading" saga is far from over.
Next Steps for You:
If you're dealing with your own "ex-tattoo" dilemma, look into high-quality laser removal clinics or artists who specialize in "blast-overs." A blast-over allows you to keep the history of the old tattoo while layering something new and bold on top, much like how Justin has attempted to evolve his collection over the years.