Taylor Swift Reveals How Selena Gomez Was Used By Justin Bieber To Stay Relevant

In a revealing 2022 Rolling Stone interview, Selena Gomez dropped a powerful truth: she never felt like she fit in with the celebrity crowd, saying her only real friend in the industry was Taylor Swift. That one statement speaks volumes—out of thousands of celebrities, Taylor stood out as the only person who supported Selena without any agenda. Their friendship dates back to 2008, when both were dating Jonas Brothers (Selena with Nick, Taylor with Joe), and while those relationships faded quickly, their bond has endured for over 15 years. Through Selena’s tumultuous eight-year relationship with Justin Bieber, Taylor was a constant, offering emotional support and witnessing firsthand the pain Selena endured. Selena once described how Taylor matched her emotions, feeling her frustration and sadness, while even her family could see how much Taylor’s presence meant. Taylor didn’t just listen; she saw the damage and wasn’t afraid to speak the hard truths others wouldn’t. From gagging at a backstage kiss between Selena and Justin at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards to being the first person Selena played her songs for—like the emotional “Lose You to Love Me”—Taylor has always had Selena’s back. Selena deeply values Taylor’s honesty, especially when it comes to her music, saying she plays her top tracks for Taylor because she knows she’ll get real, constructive feedback. That level of honesty and unwavering support has made their friendship one of the most genuine and enduring in the industry. Taylor saw clearly what many refused to admit: Justin Bieber’s relationship with Selena seemed more about maintaining his public image than love. While others were silent or enabling, Taylor wasn’t afraid to call it what it was—Selena was being used, and it was breaking her.