23 Messages On His Wedding Day? Unpacking The Viral Justin Bieber And Selena Gomez Call Rumor

The question of whether Justin Bieber contacted his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez on the day he married Hailey Bieber remains one of the most explosive and persistent pieces of celebrity lore in modern pop culture. This highly specific, dramatic rumor—that the pop star reached out to Gomez not just once, but 23 times—has been a staple of celebrity gossip for years, fueling fan theories and endless social media debate. As of late 2025, the story continues to resurface, but tracing the origins of this claim reveals a fascinating blend of fan speculation, dramatic song lyrics, and a distinct lack of credible, verified evidence.

The core of the controversy centers around a single, highly-charged lyric from a Selena Gomez song, which provided the exact, viral number that has since become synonymous with the alleged wedding day drama. To fully understand the rumor’s power, one must first look at the context of the wedding and the emotional timeline of the ‘Jelena’ relationship.

The Jelena Timeline and the Wedding Day in Question

The relationship between Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez, affectionately known as "Jelena," was one of the most scrutinized and on-again, off-again romances of the 2010s. Their final split occurred in early 2018. Just months later, in July 2018, Justin Bieber proposed to model Hailey Baldwin.

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The Biebers actually had two weddings: a quiet, legal courthouse marriage in New York City on September 13, 2018, and a much larger, lavish ceremony for friends and family in Bluffton, South Carolina, on September 30, 2019. The rumor of the wedding day contact is almost universally associated with this second, more public ceremony, which was held a year after their legal union.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber: A Brief Biography

• Justin Bieber (Born: March 1, 1994, London, Ontario, Canada)
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Actor
• Notable Albums: My World 2.0 (2010), Believe (2012), Purpose (2015), Changes (2020), Justice (2021)
• Marriage: Married Hailey Baldwin (now Bieber) in a courthouse ceremony on September 13, 2018, followed by a formal wedding on September 30, 2019.
• Hailey Bieber (née Baldwin) (Born: November 22, 1996, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.)
• Occupation: Model, Media Personality, Businesswoman (Founder of Rhode skincare)
• Family: Daughter of actor Stephen Baldwin and graphic designer Kennya Baldwin.

Selena Gomez: A Brief Biography

• Selena Gomez (Born: July 22, 1992, Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.)
• Occupation: Singer, Actress, Producer, Businesswoman (Founder of Rare Beauty)
• Notable Albums: Stars Dance (2013), Revival (2015), Rare (2020)
• Notable Roles: Wizards of Waverly Place, Spring Breakers, Only Murders in the Building
• Relationship with Justin Bieber: An on-again, off-again relationship ('Jelena') from 2010 to 2018.

The Shocking Origin: Tracing the ‘23 Messages’ Back to the Source

The entire, highly specific rumor of Justin Bieber contacting Selena Gomez 23 times on his wedding day does not originate from a leaked text message, an anonymous source, or a direct statement. Instead, it stems almost entirely from a single line in a song released by Selena Gomez herself.

The Key Lyric from the ‘Rare’ Album

In January 2020, Selena Gomez released her highly anticipated third solo studio album, Rare. The track "Ring" immediately caught the attention of fans and the media. The song is an upbeat, confident track about a person who has multiple suitors vying for their attention. The pivotal lyric that launched a thousand headlines is:

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"Yeah, I received your message, all 23 (23). You know I’m not gonna answer, so I’ll just let it ring, ring, ring."

The immediate and widespread fan interpretation was that the "23 messages" were sent by Justin Bieber on his wedding day, with the titular "Ring" being a clever double entendre referring both to a phone call ringing and a wedding ring. This interpretation gained massive traction, becoming the definitive, yet unverified, narrative in the celebrity gossip sphere. The song's release months after the September 2019 wedding ceremony provided the perfect timing for the narrative to explode.

Fact Check: Is There Any Credible Evidence?

Despite the viral nature of the claim, a deep dive into verified reports and public statements reveals a clear consensus among credible entertainment sources: there is no credible, confirmed evidence that Justin Bieber contacted Selena Gomez on the day of his wedding to Hailey Bieber.

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The Reality of the Claim

• No Confirmation from Selena Gomez: While the lyric is specific, Selena Gomez has never publicly confirmed that "Ring" is about Justin Bieber, his wedding day, or that the "23 messages" were from him. Artists frequently use specific numbers, scenarios, or dramatic storytelling in their lyrics that are not literal accounts of their personal lives.
• No Direct Statement from Justin or Hailey: Neither Justin nor Hailey Bieber has ever directly addressed or confirmed the "23 calls" rumor. Their focus, particularly in recent years, has been on shutting down ongoing rumors of marital trouble and emphasizing their commitment to each other, often choosing to ignore the persistent 'Jelena' narrative.
• The Context of the Song: The song "Ring" is part of the *Rare* album, which Gomez described as being about self-love, moving on, and finding confidence. The overall theme of the song is about having power and letting a suitor wait, which fits the narrative of a woman who is not desperate for a man's attention, regardless of who the suitor is.

The rumor, therefore, functions as a classic example of celebrity fan fiction influencing real-world perception. A cryptic, highly specific lyric was placed into a dramatic real-life timeline (a wedding) and took on a life of its own, becoming a "fact" that is repeated without the necessary verification.

Topical Authority: The End of the Jelena Narrative

The persistence of the wedding day contact rumor highlights the deep emotional investment fans had in the Jelena relationship. However, in the years following the 2019 wedding, both Justin and Selena have made significant efforts to move forward, both personally and professionally.

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber have consistently presented a united front, navigating the pressures of their high-profile marriage and publicly supporting each other. They often share updates on their relationship and family life, reinforcing their commitment.

Selena Gomez has also moved into a new phase of her life, focusing on her successful acting career (Only Murders in the Building), her Rare Beauty brand, and her personal well-being. Her decision not to directly address the rumor, or the speculation surrounding her songs, is a clear sign that she has chosen to close the chapter on the intense public scrutiny of her past relationships. The "23 messages" remains a captivating rumor, but one that is firmly rooted in musical drama rather than confirmed reality.