Rumours have been circulating for months about the state of Justin and Hailey Bieber's marriage, with fans questioning whether there could be trouble in paradise for the couple. And, last week, Justin fuelled speculation even further when he shared a cryptic Instagram post about 'transactional relationships.'
Justin, 31 - who married Hailey, 28, six years ago, with the couple welcoming son Jack Blues last year - wrote, 'Tired of transactional relationships. If I have to do something to be loved, that's not love.' Now, a source tells heat that the pair are considering some time apart, and attempting a trial separation to clear their heads.
'Hailey is trying to hold it together, but Justin is not in a great place - and she's emotionally exhausted,' the insider reveals. 'The situation isn't improving, and she's begged Justin for some space. She's been very clear that this is not the first step toward divorce, she just wants to do this so they can both get a chance to breathe and reassess the situation.'
It's not the first time Justin has hinted at problems in their relationship. Posting on social media last month, he wrote, 'Still find myself trying to earn love and it's exhausting.' And after Hailey was revealed as the May 2025 Vogue cover star, Justin raised eyebrows when he controversially said of his wife, 'This reminds me when Hailey and I got into a huge fight. I told Hails she would never be on the cover of Vogue. Yikes, I know, so mean.'
His public appearances have garnered concern, too. As well as appearing to have lost a lot of weight, footage of the star acting strangely on stage with musician SZA went viral last month. Sources described singer Justin (who rose to fame aged 15) as being 'disconnected' and 'not fully himself', with a crew member saying he resembled 'a ghost walking around.'
And following a series of unusual selfies on Instagram, many of his followers also expressed their worries. 'Why are the people around him not helping him when he's clearly struggling?' questioned one, while another pleaded, 'Babe, please go get help!'
Our source continues, 'It's unbearable for Hailey to see Justin like this. It's obvious just by looking at him that he's lost a lot of weight, and he seems constantly overwhelmed by life. He's addicted to social media, trying to get a reaction from people with cryptic messages and creepy photos of himself looking strung out. He's not eating right or sleeping properly either, so there's the physical side of things to worry about too.'
Marriage woes aside, it's been a momentous 12 months for Hailey - who first began dating Justin in 2018 following his split from Selena Gomez. As well as becoming a mum, the model recently shared that Rhode Skin, the beauty brand she founded in 2022, had been acquired by e.l.f Cosmetics in a massive $1billion deal.
And with her busy career and motherhood already demanding plenty of her attention, our source reveals she needs time to focus on herself. 'Hailey has her hands full with the transition of her company, plus baby Jack to raise, so she's at full capacity. There's no question that she still loves Justin dearly - despite all his flaws, he is the man she has committed to spending her life with - but she's at breaking point,' we're told. 'She wants Justin to take some time out at a Wellness retreat, someplace that's private and peaceful, where he can unplug and get his head straight. She's not suggesting rehab, just somewhere he can go to focus on self-care.'
The insider adds, 'Hailey has made it clear that without some kind of break she doesn't know how much longer they can keep going. She's worn out and desperate for Justin to get himself together, especially now that he's a dad. Hailey is craving a normal, functional life. She is at a tipping point.'