5 Reasons Everyone Thought Ariana Grande And Justin Bieber Were Dating (And Their Definitive 2025 Status)

The question of whether pop titans Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber ever dated is one of the most enduring mysteries in modern celebrity gossip, a rumor that has followed their careers for over a decade. Despite their undeniable chemistry on stage and a professional closeness that often blurred the lines, the latest updates in late 2025 confirm that the two global superstars have always maintained a strictly platonic, yet incredibly close, friendship.

The persistent speculation stems from a series of high-profile collaborations, shared management, and some notably affectionate public moments. However, as of today, December 13, 2025, Justin Bieber is happily married to his wife, Hailey Bieber, and Ariana Grande is publicly in a relationship with her partner, Ethan Slater, while preparing for the highly anticipated release of her *Wicked* movie sequel. This article delves into the definitive history of the dating rumors and provides the most current status of their lives and careers.

Complete Biography & Professional Profile: Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber

To fully understand the context of the dating rumors, it is essential to look at the intertwined professional and personal timelines of the two artists. They share common roots in the music industry and, for a long time, shared the same powerful manager, Scooter Braun.

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Ariana Grande

• Full Name: Ariana Grande-Butera
• Born: June 26, 1993 (Boca Raton, Florida)
• Career Start: 2008 (Broadway's 13)
• Breakthrough Role: Cat Valentine on Nickelodeon's Victorious (2010)
• Debut Album: Yours Truly (2013)
• Key Albums: My Everything, Dangerous Woman, Sweetener, Thank U, Next, Eternal Sunshine (2024)
• Major Projects: Glinda in the film adaptation of the musical Wicked (Parts 1 & 2)
• Past Relationships: Mac Miller, Pete Davidson (ex-fiancé), Dalton Gomez (ex-husband)
• Current Partner (2025): Ethan Slater

Justin Bieber

• Full Name: Justin Drew Bieber
• Born: March 1, 1994 (London, Ontario, Canada)
• Career Start: 2007 (Discovered on YouTube)
• Breakthrough: Debut single "One Time" (2009) and "Baby" (2010)
• Debut Album: My World 2.0 (2010)
• Key Albums: Believe, Purpose, Changes, Justice
• Major Projects: Numerous world tours, collaborations with artists like Skrillex, Diplo, and Ed Sheeran. Rumored 2025 music comeback.
• Past Relationships: Selena Gomez (on-again, off-again)
• Current Partner (2025): Hailey Baldwin Bieber (wife)

The Definitive Timeline: Why Fans Thought Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber Were Dating

The persistent rumors of a romantic connection between Grande and Bieber were not random; they were fueled by a decade of close professional ties and public displays of affection that were easily misinterpreted by the media and fans, affectionately known as Arianators and Beliebers.

1. The Infamous Cheek Kiss Photo (2013)

The earliest and most significant spark for the dating rumors occurred in 2013. Ariana Grande posted a picture on her social media showing Justin Bieber kissing her on the cheek during a backstage interaction. The photo immediately went viral, causing a frenzy among fans. Grande quickly clarified the situation, stating that the photo was simply a playful moment between friends and that the two were "just friends." The backlash was intense, with many of Bieber's fans at the time expressing jealousy and criticism, which only amplified the speculation.

2. The Shared Management of Scooter Braun

For many years, both Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber were clients of the powerful music manager, Scooter Braun. This shared professional umbrella meant they frequently attended the same events, recorded in the same studios, and often collaborated, creating numerous opportunities for joint appearances. Their careers were closely linked, leading to the perception that their personal lives might also be intertwined. This connection was so strong that when both artists got engaged quickly in 2018 (Ariana to Pete Davidson and Justin to Hailey Baldwin), fans joked that "the devil works hard but Scooter Braun works harder."

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3. High-Profile Stage Collaborations

Their professional friendship included several electrifying on-stage moments that thrilled fans. In 2015, Justin Bieber made a surprise appearance during Grande's Honeymoon Tour, performing "Love Me Harder" and "As Long As You Love Me" together. Years later, Bieber returned the favor by joining Grande on stage at her 2019 Coachella headlining set. These performances showcased their incredible chemistry, making it easy for fans to imagine a romantic connection.

4. The "Stuck with U" Duet (2020)

During the global pandemic, Grande and Bieber released the charity single "Stuck with U." The song’s music video featured fan-submitted clips of couples and families self-isolating, but its most notable aspect was the reveal of their respective partners. The video showed Justin with his wife, Hailey Bieber, and, in a major surprise, confirmed Ariana's then-private relationship with Dalton Gomez. This collaboration, while sparking a brief resurgence of the "Justina" portmanteau, definitively proved that their relationship was purely professional and friendly, with each happily "stuck with" their respective partners.

The Current Reality: Marriage, New Music, and *Wicked*

The "Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber dating" narrative has been firmly closed by their respective latest life updates. The current focus for both artists is on their marriages, new relationships, and massive career undertakings, providing fresh entities for topical authority.

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Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber: A Solid Foundation

Justin Bieber and model Hailey Baldwin married in 2018 and have consistently shut down any rumors of instability, with recent reports in late 2025 showing them focused on their life together. Justin’s professional life has been quieter in recent years, with a notable absence of new music for some time, but there are strong rumors of a major music comeback expected in 2025. His recent public appearances and social media activity, including a nostalgic return to the location of his "Baby" music video, have kept Beliebers on high alert for new projects.

Ariana Grande: *Wicked* and *Eternal Sunshine*

Ariana Grande's career has shifted dramatically in the mid-2020s. Following the release of her critically acclaimed album *Eternal Sunshine* in March 2024, her primary focus has been on her starring role as Glinda in the two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical *Wicked*. The first part of the movie is set for release in late 2024, with the highly anticipated sequel following in 2025. Her personal life has also seen major changes, with her divorce from Dalton Gomez being finalized and her new relationship with her *Wicked* co-star, Ethan Slater, becoming public knowledge.

The Scooter Braun Split

A final, major point of separation in their professional timelines came in 2023 when Ariana Grande officially parted ways with Scooter Braun's management company, SB Projects. While Justin Bieber remained with Braun until the manager announced his retirement from management in 2025, Grande’s departure further solidified their independent professional paths. Despite this, the two artists have maintained their decades-long personal friendship, often supporting each other's work publicly, demonstrating that their bond transcends any professional or romantic entanglement.

Conclusion: The Definitive Answer to the Dating Rumors

The truth behind the "Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber dating" rumors is far less dramatic than the speculation suggests: they are simply two pop icons who grew up together in the music industry, sharing a manager, and developing a genuine, long-lasting professional friendship. The rumors, which began with a playful cheek kiss photo in 2013 and were fueled by their close collaborations like "Stuck with U," have been definitively put to rest by their current, separate, and very public relationships with Hailey Bieber and Ethan Slater. As both artists enter a new phase of their careers in 2025—Justin with a rumored music comeback and Ariana with her massive *Wicked* film project—their bond remains a powerful example of lasting platonic friendship in the often-turbulent world of pop superstardom.