All of the Justin Bieber Shades on The Weeknd's Album, 'My Dear Melancholy,'
He's still salty about the Selena break-up.


The Weeknd just dropped his new, aptly-titled EP, My Dear Melancholy, and it features a lot of references to his personal relationships. Unsurprisingly, even Justin Bieber gets some shout-outs in The Weeknd's new songs.
RELATED STORY
To recap, The Weeknd had a very public relationship with Selena Gomez, which started in January 2017, before the couple announced their break-up in October 2017. Before their separation was public, though, Gomez was spotted hanging out with her ex-boyfriend Bieber, who she apparently reconnected with at church following her life-saving kidney surgery.
At the time, Us Weekly reported that "The Weekend is well aware Selena and Justin are talking. He doesn’t care." However, days later, Gomez and The Weeknd were over, and Bieber was back in the picture.
Now, The Weeknd appears to have responded to Gomez going back to her ex by shading the "Sorry" singer in several new songs. Here is every Bieber shade on My Dear Melancholy,:
1. I Was Never There.
Even the title, "I Was Never There," seems to indicate that The Weeknd is scarred by the fact that Gomez went back to her ex, almost as if their relationship never even happened.
As for Gomez choosing Bieber, The Weeknd sings:
When no one know what love is
And I know it ain't you for sure
You'd rather something toxic
So, I poison myself again, again
'Til I feel nothing
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
Basically, Bieber is "something toxic," and The Weeknd implies that Gomez doesn't "know what love is." She goes back to her ex again and again, and The Weeknd is left to self-medicate his sadness away. Presumably, he saw the latest Jelena break-up coming.
2. Call Out My Name.
On "Call Out My Name," which seems to be about his relationship with Gomez ending, The Weeknd sings:
I said I didn't feel nothing, baby, but I lied / I almost cut a piece of myself for your life / Guess I was just another pit stop / 'Til you made up your mind / You just wasted my time.
Not only does The Weeknd seem to say that he was prepared to give Gomez a kidney, he hints at the fact that he was "just another pit stop, 'til you made up your mind." Was Bieber on Gomez's mind throughout her relationship with The Weeknd?
Even though the song is more about Gomez, Bieber's presence is felt throughout.
3. Privilege.
In "Privilege," The Weeknd instructs Gomez to enjoy her "privileged life," presumably now that she has moved on with Bieber.
But later in the song, The Weeknd seems to have grown sick of hearing about his ex, and repeats the phrase, "I don't wanna hear that no more, no more," and reiterates the feeling that his relationship with Gomez was just a stop-over on her way back to Bieber: "They said our love is just a game, I don't care what they say." He's blocking out the tabloid reports once and for all.
4. Hurt You.
On "Hurt You," The Weeknd laments the end of all relationships, admitting that he's probably not cut out for them:
And now I know relationship's my enemy
So stay away from me
I'm warning you
You try to fill the void with every man you meet
'Cause you're upset with me
I'm warning you
Was Gomez filling the void with Bieber, and trying to make The Weeknd jealous because she's upset with him?
Basically, we can be pretty certain now that The Weeknd wasn't overjoyed when Gomez was spotted with Bieber right before their break-up.
RELATED STORY

Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.
-
Beyoncé Battles Her Gatekeepers on the 'Cowboy Carter' Tour
And proves the best use of her power is looking beyond them.
-
In 'Sinners,' Music From the Past Liberates Us From the Present
In its musical moments, Ryan Coogler's vampire blockbuster makes a powerful statement about Black culture, ancestry, and art.
-
After 25 Years, 'The Virgin Suicides' Is Still Influencing Artists Like Me
To coincide with the film's anniversary, Mia Berrin from Pom Pom Squad reflects on what it's meant to her artistic journey.
-
Rico Nasty Shares What Music Shaped Her—and What's on Her Playlist Now
With her new album 'LETHAL' coming soon, the rapper opens up about her musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."
-
In 'Opus,' Cult Leaders and Pop Stars Are One in the Same
The A24 film's costume and production designers open up about crafting fictional pop icon Moretti’s style and mysterious estate.
-
The Melancholic Sound of Success
The artist known as Japanese Breakfast opens up about finding her sound on a new album after experiencing whirlwind success.
-
LISA, Doja Cat, and Raye Perform a Glamorous 'James Bond' Tribute at the 2025 Oscars
The Academy Awards are for the pop girls, actually.
-
Aly & AJ Share What Music Shaped Them—And What's on Their Playlist Now
With their new album 'Silver Deliverer' coming soon, the sister act opens up about their musical preferences for the 'Marie Claire' series "Listen Up."