Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber are now in happy, healthy relationships with their respective partners, yet fans cannot seem to have enough of their past relationship. Widely hailed at one point as a ‘match-made-in-heaven’ the popstar duo went on and off before finally parting ways in 2018.

Selena Gomez | Credit: Pathé

Yet memories of their time together continue to resurface on the internet, making fans of ‘Jelena’ nostalgic for the past. Recently, a video of Selena’s old interview with Ellen DeGeneres resurfaced, in which the singer-actress called Bieber her ‘younger brother’ just a year before officially confirming her relationship.

When Selena Gomez Referred to Justin Beiber as Her ‘Younger Brother’

Selena Gomez | Credit: Instagram/@selenagomez

Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber were both child stars, two of the biggest in showbiz, when they crossed paths in the 2010s. Ever since they confirmed their relationship in 2011, the duo has become one of the most talked about and most followed couples in the entertainment industry, a trend that continues despite their going their separate ways.

However, before they confirmed their relationship to the world, the duo denied involvement, maintaining they were just friends. Back in 2010, during an appearance on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, Gomez even went ahead and referred to her future boyfriend as like her ‘younger brother’.

When confronted by the popular celebrity host on whether she has been dating the Baby Baby hitmaker or now, she remarked,

What? Oh Brother! He’s little. No, no, he’s like my little brother. That’s weird to me. I look bigger than him. He’s sweet.

While that seemed to quench the many rumors about their ‘friendship’ for some time, her statement came to bite the actress-singer when she came back to the show just a year later.

When Selena Gomez Regretted Calling Justin Bieber Her ‘Younger Brother’

Justin Bieber | Instagram/@justinbieber

After referring to Justin Bieber as a younger brother, it is ironic that just a year later Selena Gomez confirmed her alleged relationship with the popstar. While the duo went on to date for a couple of years and even broke up a few times, the Disney star came to regret her words the next time she came on the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

In an appearance on the now-off-air show in March 2011, the Lose You to Love Me singer was asked by host DeGeneres if she had ever lied to her. While Gomez replied in the negative, DeGeneres proceeded to play a recording of her last appearance on the show, the same one where she denied relationship rumors with Bieber and called him a brother.

Flushed and shocked, this is what Gomez had to say about it.

Don’t take me to jail… I don’t know!… He’s just sweet… I didn’t lie to you. I will say that.

While Gomez had to take back her words after being put in a tough spot, there is no denying that these two interviews remain just as iconic as their relationship. With both stars having long moved on in their life, maybe the fans should too.