Justin's Getting Married!

Justin Bieber shocks the world — and Selena Gomez — by proposing to girlfriend Hailey Baldwin

In 2016, Justin Bieber opened up about his casual romance with model Hailey Baldwin, whom he briefly dated in 2015 and 2016 when he wasn’t seeing Selena Gomez. He described Hailey as “someone I really love” and mused, “What if Hailey ends up being the girl I’m gonna marry, right?”

Right! Barely two years later — and after yet another failed attempt to make his relationship with Selena work — Justin, 24, popped the question to Hailey, 21, on July 7 in the Bahamas. “They’ve been talking about marriage for a couple of months,” says a source. ( In Touch broke the news in June that Justin was planning to propose.) “He surprised Hailey with a huge engagement ring. She was honestly shocked. He proposed the old-fashioned way — he got on one knee and asked her if she would spend the rest of her life with him. She started crying as soon as he pulled the ring out, and then he teared up.”

A SLOW BURN Though the proposal sent shock waves through the Belieber universe, Justin’s loved ones were far from surprised. “They saw this coming from a mile away,” says the source, who notes that the couple have been friends since she was 13. ( Fans uncovered a video of the moment they met in 2009 in which Hailey’s dad, actor Stephen Baldwin, can be heard introducing them and telling Justin, “We’ve been enjoying your music.”) “Justin realized Hailey was truly the one for him about a month after his last breakup with Selena [this spring]. All these years, through all the ups and downs with Selena, Hailey was the constant in his life. Yes, they were friends with benefits, but always friends first. It’s actually kind of romantic.”

Their families are thrilled. “Proud is an understatement! Excited for the next chapter!” Justin’s dad, Jeremy Bieber, wrote on Instagram, while Justin’s mother, Pattie Mallette, tweeted, “Love Love Love Love Love Love Love.” Hailey’s father tweeted (and then deleted) his congratulations, writing in part, “Sweet smile on my face… Always pray 4 Gods will!! He is moving in the hearts of JB&HB… Love you 2 so much!!! #Godstiming #bestisyettocome.” Her uncle, Daniel Baldwin, playfully quipped to In Touch that Justin has to pass a test before he’ll be welcomed into the famous clan. “He did not play in the Baldwin family Turkey Bowl on Thanksgiving Day yet,” Daniel noted. “How can we truly accept him into the family until he scores a touchdown and we get to see his end zone performance?”

MOVING FAST But Justin and Hailey could be husband and wife by the time the holiday rolls around. “The wedding will most likely be in the fall,” says the source, “and this will be a blowout event. Justin and Hailey’s good friend and religious mentor, [Hillsong Church] pastor Carl Lentz, will be officiating. His best man will probably be his manager, Scooter Braun. She knows what she wants — an all-white, designer dress, bridesmaids, white doves… the whole thing. Justin, of course, will make sure all of her dreams come true.” ◼