Hailey Bieber says that splitting up from now-husband Justin in 2016 was the ‘best thing’ for their relationship in the long run.
The model, 23, opened up about how she grew during their time apart during the first episode of the couple’s new Facebook Watch series The Biebers On Watch.
‘When I looked back on it, it was the best thing that we took time apart and had time to do our own thing…’ Hailey said. ‘I did a lot of work by myself and on my own before we got together.’
Space to grow: Hailey Bieber says that her 2016 break-up with now-husband Justin was the ‘best thing’ for their relationship because the time apart let them both grow into better people
The 12-part series The Biebers On Watch is being shot on GoPros, set to capture the stars during their time quarantining at their home in Toronto.
Hailey and Justin reflected upon their relationship while taking a boat ride on a nearby lake that they called their ‘sanctuary.’
While talking about marriage Mrs. Bieber – née Baldwin – explained how their break-up let the couple learn about themselves and make positive changes as individuals.
‘I think that one thing that’s really important is that from the time you and I ended and were not on good terms, I was on my own essentially,’ Hailey said. ‘I didn’t just throw myself into a relationship, throw myself into something else to try to… distract myself and forget.’
She knew she needed that solo time to find herself.
‘I didn’t search for somebody to take your place and take another relationship or fill a void in that way,’ Bieber told her husband.
First go-around: The couple are seen together in 2015 above
Intimate look: The couple talked about the ups and downs of marriage during the debut episode of their Facebook Watch series The Biebers On Watch
On her own: She said the most important part of the split was being alone, saying ‘I didn’t search for somebody to take your place and take another relationship or fill a void in that way’
Still, she had to grapple with the feelings from the break-up.
‘I really let myself feel the emotions I was feeling. It feels like grieving, it is grieving actually. You feel like you lose someone you really, really love and care about.
‘I just remember I cared about you so much that I was like, “It doesn’t even matter to me if he’s in my life, in like, a romantic way. I just care about him so much that I want us to be in each other’s lives and that be okay.”‘
But the time apart made both stronger, as Hailey revealed.
‘When I looked back on it, it was the best thing that we took time apart and had time to do our own thing,’ she said. ‘I felt like I found my footing in my career and on my own and as a young adult. I did a lot of work by myself and on my own before we got together.’
Evolving: ‘When I looked back on it, it was the best thing that we took time apart and had time to do our own thing,’ she said. ‘I felt like I found my footing in my career and on my own and as a young adult.’ She’s seen on the runway in 2018 above
Missing him: ‘I just remember I cared about you so much that I was like, “It doesn’t even matter to me if he’s in my life, in like, a romantic way. I just care about him so much that I want us to be in each other’s lives and that be okay”
She felt more grounded in herself once they resparked their romance in 2018.
‘By the time we got back together, I felt like I experienced enough,’ she said. ‘I met a lot of different people, I hung out with different people. I had experienced other people where I was like, “I’m cool if I never speak to another human again, another guy again.” It didn’t matter to me. I felt like I knew what I wanted.’
At first Hailey had some ‘doubts’ about the pop star’s progress, but mutual friends assured her he was actually working hard.
‘Before we got together I had a lot of doubt, I didn’t even know what was happening in your life. I was a little confused … and once we started hanging out again, obviously we have a lot of mutual friends. They would tell me that you were really working on yourself and doing really well.
‘They were really impressed with how you were living your life and trying to keep to yourself. You weren’t on any f*** boy s*** anymore.’
Doing his part: Hailey said that was was surprised but happy when she learned the Justin had taken the time to reflect too, telling her hubby ‘You weren’t on any f*** boy s*** anymore.’ He’s seen in 2016 above
Wedded bliss: After reuniting the Biebers were engaged in summer of 2018. They married in a secret courthouse ceremony two months later, but didn’t have their official wedding blow out in front of all their friends and family until the September 2019, above
Also talking about the evolution of their relationship, Justin said forgiveness was key.
‘Forgiveness too, there was a lot of forgiveness that you needed to have towards me. And vice versa,’ the faithful singer explained.
‘We both had made mistakes and I think when we understand how much God’s forgiven us and given us grace, it gives us the ability to give each other grace.’
Hailey agreed, telling her other half: ‘Forgiveness is the biggest thing. You take a person with all of their mistakes, all of their faults, all of their decisions.’
After reuniting the Biebers were engaged in summer of 2018. They married in a secret courthouse ceremony two months later, but didn’t have their official wedding blow out in front of all their friends and family until the September 2019.
Hailey also revealed her favorite part about being married, telling Justin: ‘Definitely just the companionship that you get out of it. The more you work on it and fight for it to be solid, it takes a lot of work. Wouldn’t you say?’
Making amends: ‘Forgiveness too, there was a lot of forgiveness that you needed to have towards me. And vice versa,’ the faithful singer explained. The couple are seen in January 2020 above
‘We’ve had to work hard on our relationship,’ she went on. ‘I think that pays off in a way where you just become so connected to each other, and so close and just solid with each other. Obviously, you’re my best friend. I think that’s the biggest payoff, you get a best friend to do everything with.’
Justin agreed, adding: ‘I think the security marriage gives you is that you make a covenant before God to love that person for better or for worse, in sickness and in health.’
He also thanked his love for supporting him during his health struggles, dealing with both Lyme disease and depression.
‘You’ve done amazing for me. You were there when I was really struggling. This season, I feel like I’m in the best place I’ve ever been. You and I are the closest we’ve ever been, it’s really fun to experience new things with you, travel with you,’ he told his love.
The first episode of The Biebers On Watch is available to stream on Facebook now.