Justin, Hailey Bieber in ‘Better Place’ After Marital ‘Tension’ (Excl)

Rumors that Justin and Hailey Bieber‘s relationship was on the rocks ran rampant earlier this year while he was recording his new album, Swag, but since its surprise July 11 release, the “tension has settled,” a source close to the couple exclusively tells Us Weekly.

“The intense focus and emotional toll of creating new music had put a strain on their marriage,” the source says. “When Justin is in the studio making new music, he gets completely consumed and shuts everything else out.”

Now that the project has dropped — and achieved critical and commercial success, with 16 of its 21 tracks debuting on the Billboard Hot 100 chart — the source shares that Justin, 31, and Hailey, 28, “have been able to finally reconnect more” on a summer vacation to “their favorite place in Idaho” with their son, Jack Blues, who will celebrate his 1st birthday on Friday, August 22.

“There’s a sense of relief on both sides,” the source tells Us. “Justin’s behavior has been more relaxed. He felt a lot of pressure hanging over him and has been in a better mental headspace these last few weeks. He is very happy there have been positive reviews of the album and that fans like it.”

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Hailey, for her part, “takes it day by day and is very patient” with her husband of nearly seven years, according to the source.

“There’s still work to be done in their marriage,” the source acknowledges, “but they’re in a much better place.”

Us Weekly has reached out to reps for the Biebers for comment.

Justin and Hailey married in September 2018 after a whirlwind romance. They renewed their vows in May 2024 before welcoming Jack that August.

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However, in June, an insider close to the pair exclusively told Us that their marriage had seen better days because the “Daisies” singer was struggling to balance his personal and professional lives.

“Justin has felt lost recently,” the insider explained at the time. “His friend group around him has shifted, and he is going through a lot of changes. Navigating fatherhood, trying to put out music [and] past traumas surfacing has been a lot for him.”

The insider called Hailey “the stable parent and the one keeping their family together,” adding, “It’s been really hard on her.”

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Justin Bieber has faced his fair share of hardships since skyrocketing to fame after being discovered by Scooter Braun in 2007. Upon breaking onto the scene with his debut album, My World 2.0, the two-time Grammy winner was beloved by the world over for his boyish charm, famous hair “swoop” and age-appropriate love songs. However, […]

Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, the couple put on a united front in the public eye, with Justin even including Hailey (and Jack) in the artwork for Swag and singing about overcoming their struggles.

“You are my diamond / Gave you a ring / I made you a promise / I told you I’d change,” he croons in “Walking Away,” one of the songs on the new album. “It’s just human nature / These growing pains / And, baby, I ain’t walking away.”