The 68th Annual Grammy Awards, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, promised to be memorable. The nominee list featured the industry’s biggest names, and the tension was palpable as stars strutted down the red carpet. As usual, the press speculated about who might win, who might perform an unexpected duet, and who might cause a stir with their fashion choices. But no one, not even the most seasoned entertainment reporters, could have predicted the headline-grabbing reunion that would unfold under the strobe of paparazzi flashes. In the midst of the glitz and glamour, two of the most influential artists of their generation crossed paths—and their embrace became the night’s defining moment. To understand the magnitude of that moment, it’s necessary to revisit the complicated, decade-spanning history between Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez. Their on-again, off-again romance dominated tabloid covers for much of the 2010s, captivating fans who referred to the couple as “Jelena.”
