Justin Bieber unfollows Selena Gomez on social media in dramatic twist after also unfollowing his own wife Hailey

Selena Gomez is the latest victim to Justin Bieber's supposed social media cull, which previously saw the Canadian musician unfollowing his own wife, Hailey Bieber, on Instagram.

Fans were previously left wondering what his latest online move meant - amid concerns of strife - but Selena's involvement in the mass unfollowing has prompted another theory altogether.

Fans of the celebrity power couple were somewhat blindsided by reports earlier today that 30-year-old Justin had unfollowed his other-half Hailey on social media.

The pair welcomed their first child together - a son they named Jack Blues - and just over six years since they tied the knot in a double New York-North Carolina ceremony.

There have also been rumours of trouble in paradise behind the scenes, after Justin unfollowed Hailey.

"Is this the modern way of announcing a breakup," one questioned on social media afterwards.

Another admitted: "Wow didn’t see this one coming."

As we say, however, Rhode CEO Hailey, 28, isn't the only one that Justin had chosen to receive the chop this week, with his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez also having received an unfollow.

After noticing, one fan took to X to write: "Justin Bieber unfollowing Hailey and Selena? Bold move—Instagram drama is the new ‘One Less Lonely Girl.’ #UnfollowGate".

Interestingly, however, after unfollowing Selena - from whom he split for good in 2018 following several on-off years - some fans of the 'Baby' hit-maker believe that his social media move might be somewhat of a PR stunt.

In fact, some are adamant that the singer is actually using the attention gained from unfollowing influential figures from his life - including his former manager Scooter Braun - as a means of creating hype surrounding future musical works.

"Attention seeking behavior. Pr stunt to promote his album. Both of them," one critic slammed in response to the unfollowing news, while another predicted: "Seeking attention for his new music."

"i think he did it on purpose to make some noise," a third explained.

Another sceptic wrote online: "He knows he is coming to flop with his new album its giving pr its giving desperate."

Their suggestions come just days after some fans convinced themselves the 'What Do You Mean' musician is set to make an entertainment industry comeback in the coming months.

Justin shared a cryptic Instagram post last week alluding to a return to showbiz by uploading a video of himself listening to a seemingly unreleased track.

The clip was shared on his Instagram story, seeing the star jamming out alongside his make-up boss other-half in the passenger seat of a vehicle, with Justin including a film camera Emoji and a writing hand over the top.

Tyla has contacted Justin and Hailey's representatives for comment.