“I thought marriage was going to fix all my problems, but I don’t think I can do this forever. ”

The rumors about Justin Bieber’s marriage to Hailey Baldwin have been swirling for months, with fans and tabloids alike speculating that the relationship is on the rocks.

From cryptic posts to visible tension in public, it seems like the cracks in their relationship are starting to show.

But how serious are these signs? Using the research of renowned psychologist Dr.John Gottman, we’ll explore the seven red flags that often precede a divorce, and see how these signs have manifested in Justin and Hailey’s relationship.

Could their love story be headed for an inevitable breakdown?

Justin Bieber’s marriage to Hailey Baldwin has been a topic of public fascination ever since they first reconnected and married in 2018.

With a whirlwind romance, it seemed like a dream come true—two young stars, finding love after years of public scrutiny and drama.

But, like many relationships in the limelight, theirs has not been without turbulence.

From their on-and-off relationship in the years prior to their engagement, to the way their connection played out in the public eye, many fans and commentators have questioned whether their marriage is on stable ground.

Gottman’s Four Horsemen: The Signs We Should All Look For

Dr. John Gottman, a renowned clinical psychologist, spent decades studying marriages and identifying the “Four Horsemen”—behaviors that predict divorce.

His research, so precise that it can predict divorce with over 90% accuracy, is now used as a tool to better understand troubled relationships.

The first horseman is criticism, which often appears when partners begin blaming each other for the problems in the marriage.

 

In a post following a Vogue cover story featuring Hailey, Justin Bieber took to Instagram, not to praise his wife, but to explain a fight they had after he criticized her career.

The post, filled with negative language and attempts at justifying his actions, was quickly deleted after backlash from fans.

His apology for being “mean” seemed like a feeble attempt at addressing the growing tension between the couple, rather than taking responsibility for his own actions.

The third horseman is defensiveness, which also showed up in this situation.

Instead of taking responsibility for his actions, Justin shifted the blame to feeling disrespected.

He then justified his behavior by saying it was an act of revenge.

Fans couldn’t help but notice how he seemed to treat his wife differently than other women.

This defensive behavior created more emotional distance between them, leading many to speculate that their relationship was no longer as harmonious as it once appeared.

 

Contempt: A Growing Division

Dr. Gottman defines contempt as mocking, sarcasm, or disrespect towards a partner.

Unfortunately, Justin’s public behavior can be linked to this sign as well.

One of the more jarring moments was when, just months after Hailey gave birth, he posted, “Love you moms, but Mother’s Day sucks,” a statement that seemed to dismiss his wife’s important role as a mother.

His posts about Mother’s Day were met with confusion by fans, especially when he had been so enthusiastic about his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez’s birthday celebrations.

 

In addition to this, Justin’s social media presence often involved snarky comments about Hailey’s appearance, particularly about her teeth.

He even posted memes mocking the behavior of wives in relationships, indirectly shading Hailey.

All of this pointed to a lack of respect for his wife, and some fans wondered whether this contempt was not just on social media but also present behind closed doors.

 

Defensiveness and Stonewalling: Emotional Withdrawal

Gottman’s stonewalling refers to emotional withdrawal or shutting down during conversations.

Justin has been caught on camera showing signs of rejecting affection from his wife.

In one instance, he appeared to push her away when she tried to hold his hand, and in others, he blatantly told her to stop touching him.

This behavior was evident during their public outings as well, where Hailey would be seen trying to engage with him, only to be met with indifference or frustration.

Justin’s visible discomfort when his wife tried to show affection raised questions about the state of their relationship.

Fans were quick to pick up on these small signs, wondering if Hailey was trying to hold onto a marriage that Justin had already emotionally checked out from.

 

Flooding: Overwhelmed by Negativity

Flooding happens when one partner feels emotionally overwhelmed and disconnected, often leading to destructive arguments.

Fans noticed a troubling pattern in Justin’s reactions to Hailey’s actions.

For instance, when she had the opportunity to be on the cover of Vogue, Justin didn’t congratulate her.

Instead, he focused on her having “proved him wrong.

” His lack of positive sentiment towards his wife’s achievements made it evident that the emotional connection between them had deteriorated.

 

In a similar vein, when they argued, it seemed like the negativity overshadowed any positive interactions.

Instead of offering empathy or finding a way to de-escalate, Justin became defensive and critical.

These emotional outbursts pointed to a deeper disconnect in the relationship.

 

A Shift in Priorities: The Growing Distance

In 2023, Justin’s behavior seemed to shift even more dramatically.

He started following rising pop star Sabrina Carpenter on Instagram, which caught the attention of fans who were already suspicious of the state of his marriage.

His interactions with Sabrina, including liking her photos, were noticed by fans, especially given the backdrop of his tumultuous relationship with Hailey.

Justin’s failure to post about Hailey’s birthday, his silence on significant moments in their lives, and his visible interest in Sabrina raised alarms.

Some fans interpreted this as evidence that Justin was emotionally investing in someone else, even as Hailey appeared to go the extra mile to secure his attention.

 

The Influence of Selena Gomez: A Longstanding Tension

It’s no secret that Justin’s relationship with Selena Gomez has been one of the most publicized and complicated parts of his love life.

The two have broken up and gotten back together multiple times, and their emotional connection seems to linger.

Even as Justin moved on and married Hailey, it became evident that Selena’s shadow still haunted their relationship.

Fans noticed that whenever Selena posted something significant, Justin would follow up with his own public displays of affection for Hailey.

Whether it was a tribute to her on her birthday or publicly defending their relationship, it seemed as though Justin’s desire for validation was tied to Selena’s actions.

In fact, Selena herself has shown subtle support for Hailey, leaving likes and comments on Hailey’s posts, which sparked speculation about the underlying tension and unspoken competition between the two women.

 

The Final Signs: Are They Headed for Divorce?

The behavior of both Justin and Hailey has given rise to rumors that their marriage may be on the brink of collapse.

From their social media exchanges to the emotional withdrawal and defensiveness on display, it’s clear that their relationship is no longer as harmonious as it once was.

Fans have been quick to draw conclusions, and the signs are hard to ignore.

The cracks are evident in their body language, their interactions in public, and the stories that continue to circulate about their private lives.

While some may argue that they’re just going through a rough patch, others believe that the signs of divorce are staring us in the face.