In an interview with Vogue for their Summer issue, Hailey Bieber, model and co-founder of Rhode, discussed her experience navigating motherhood, postpartum dysphoria, and the emotional toll of online rumors following the birth of her first child, Jack Blues, in August 2024.
Bieber, 28, who shares her son with husband Justin Bieber, spoke candidly about the challenges of adjusting to life as a new mother, especially in the face of public scrutiny. “Every day I have to talk to myself, like, ‘Hailey, you had a baby,'” she explained. “You grew a human. You birthed a human. It’s okay. Give yourself grace. Give yourself time.”
Postpartum struggles of Hailey Bieber
Hailey has always been a fitness enthusiast, the model admits that losing the last 15 pounds she gained during pregnancy was more difficult than she had expected. Reflecting on the pressure to “bounce back,” she emphasised the reality of permanent physical change after childbirth. “When people talk about ‘bouncing back’ — back where? My hips are wider, my boobs are actually bigger than they were before,” she said. “You’re not the same person that you were before. You change head to toe.” She admitted to fixating on returning to her pre-pregnancy body but eventually came to terms with the fact that her body would never be the same. “I had to go through that acceptance of, ‘I’m not going back,'” she shared, explaining how she shifted her focus to embracing her new self. Despite the pressure, Hailey says that becoming a mother has helped her find new confidence and peace in herself. “I like who I am so much more than I ever have,” she reflected. “There’s an ease that comes with [being a mother], a confidence.” With the support of her family, Hailey has found strength in focusing on what truly matters.
Dealing with divorce rumours
Amid her personal struggles, Hailey has also had to contend with widespread rumours about her marriage. Speculation about her relationship with Justin intensified after he was photographed kissing rapper Sexyy Red on the cheek at a public event, leading some fans to question the couple’s happiness. Hailey revealed how difficult it has been to cope with the constant online commentary, particularly while navigating the sensitive period of postpartum recovery. “Being postpartum is the most sensitive time I’ve ever gone through in my life,” she said. “And learning a new version of myself is very difficult.” She went on to describe the emotional toll of reading constant rumors about her marriage. “It’s a crazy life to live,” she remarked. “I cannot even begin to explain it.” Despite the negativity, Hailey remains focused on her son Jack, saying, “He’s my priority. He is the most important thing to me.” The couple’s relationship has faced increased attention due to Justin’s high-profile social media presence and the constant media focus on their marriage. However, recent Instagram posts from Justin have shown a more affectionate side, with the singer sharing pictures of the pair at a Toronto Maple Leafs game, where he kissed Hailey on the cheek. In the caption, Justin expressed his love for the team while also acknowledging the special moments with Hailey: “I don’t remember a time in my life when I haven’t been obsessed with the leafs.”