After videos of Justin Bieber singing as a child made their way to YouTube, he was discovered and began releasing incredibly popular music. In fact, Bieber became so successful that he developed a massive fan following that was unbelievably loyal to him.

Given how much of a big deal Bieber became, there are very few artists in the world who could even come close to relating to him. Fortunately for Bieber, however, he does have a few peers in the music industry.

One of the select few people in the world who can understand the kind of life that Bieber has is Ariana Grande. With that in mind, the fact that the two pop music megastars ended up developing a relationship over the years makes sense.

Given that Grande and Bieber are superstars who’ve collaborated in the past, the fact that the nature of their relationship has been questioned in the past isn’t surprising. That said, the question that some observers still want to know is if Bieber and Grande ever dated in the past.

Inside Justin Bieber And Ariana Grande’s Dating Rumors

Back in 2015, Justin Bieber released his hit single, “What Do You Mean”. Massively popular with fans, the song was such a big hit that Bieber later decided to record a remix, and he welcomed Ariana Grande to record vocals for the track.

Five years later, Grande and Bieber released their follow-up collaboration, “Stuck with U” in 2020. Designed to help medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bieber and Grande announced all proceeds from the song would go towards the First Responders Children’s Foundation.

via: Instagram

Throughout most of music history, it was very uncommon for solo musicians and bands to release music where they collaborated with other artists. Over the last few decades, however, that has become more and more common. In fact, there now are some musicians who work with guest artists on every song they record.

Given that collaborations are so common, the fact that Bieber and Grande worked on two songs together wouldn’t be enough for people to think they may have dated. Instead, observers noticed other things that led them to believe there might have been something going on between the pop stars.

Via: Twitter

The first time some people came to think that there might have been something going on between Grande and Bieber came in 2013. At that time, Grande posted a selfie she took with Bieber where Justin was kissing her cheek.

Roughly two years later, more fuel was added to the fire of rumors that Bieber and Grande might be involved. At that time, the two singers were dating other people when Bieber joined Grande onstage during one of her concerts.

via: Twitter

As they were performing together, Bieber could be seen hugging Grande from behind. After footage and photos of that moment made their way online, many fans believed there was an intimacy to that moment that implied the singers were becoming a couple.

Four years after their much-talked-about 2015 performance together, Bieber joined Grande onstage once again, this time at Coachella 2019. During that performance, Bieber credited Grande welcoming him onstage with helping him rediscover his confidence as a performer.

“I had to get my groove back, I had to get my swag back, you know what I’m saying?” Bieber later took to Twitter to express his gratitude to Grande for her support. “Thank you so much Coachella, thank you Ariana Grande.”

Based on those three events and their collaborations, there were quite a few people who concluded that Bieber and Grande had to be more than just friends.

The Truth About Ariana Grande And Justin Bieber’s Relationship

At the end of the day, there are only two people who can definitively say for sure if there ever has been anything going on between Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, the two of them. After all, no matter how much the paparazzi follow Bieber and Grande around, there is no way to know for sure what goes on behind closed doors.

Despite the fact that Grande and Bieber are the only ones who truly know if they’ve ever been involved, there is a lot of evidence about the nature of their relationship. Based on everything that is known about Bieber and Grande, it seems pretty clear that they’ve only been friends.

Via: depositphotos

The first thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to the kissing selfie, Bieber only planted one on Grande’s cheek. As for the hugging onstage, while that may be the kind of thing a lot of friends would never do, everyone is different and some pals have the kind of relationship where that kind of embrace is fine.

Finally, in terms of Beiber and Grande’s Coachella performance together, it seems pretty clear that was just two friends and artists collaborating. In fact, when Bieber thanked Grande on Twitter, Ariana responded in a way that made it seem pretty clear she thinks of Justin as her friend.

via: Instar

“Circling back. Your fans, friends and the world is thrilled to have you back. Everyone was so happy to see u smile like that. No one will ever understand how it feels to be u, but it’s not their job to. Take care. Make music. U are loved. P.s. everyone in that video will b streaming.”

Once you realize all the so-called evidence that Bieber and Grande dated can be innocently explained, everything else points to the pop stars just being friends.

In 2014 when there were loads of headlines about Bieber’s scandalous behavior, Grande was asked about Justin. In response, Grande spoke about Bieber with great empathy and in a way that made it seem like she valued her relationship without Justin without knowing him too well.

Via: Twitter

“It’s gotten to a point where I just want him to be okay. It’s this very serious thing. It’s not just like a kid who’s, you know, screwing around; it’s dangerous. It’s very serious and upsetting.”

“He is the most visible, yet most isolated human being I’ve ever met…I just want him to be okay, that’s all. I just think it’s a serious thing.” Grande continued, “And I don’t think it’s something to make fun of anymore. I don’t think it’s funny anymore.”

With that quote in mind, the other relationships they’ve both been in, and the fact that neither of them has said anything about dating, it really does seem like they are only friends.