Justin Bieber used to be the poster child for the "squad" era. You remember the photos. 2015-era Justin surrounded by a literal army of bodyguards, "swag coaches," and childhood besties from Stratford. It was a traveling circus of high-octane fame. But lately? The vibe has shifted. Hard.
If you’ve been scrolling through his Instagram in 2025 and 2026, you’ve probably noticed the silence. The loud, crowded parties have been replaced by blurry shots of baby Jack Blues, quiet date nights with Hailey, and a lot of solo time. Honestly, the "Justin Bieber with friends" search result looks a lot different than it did five years ago.
He’s cleaning house.
The Great Unfollowing of 2025
It started as a trickle and turned into a flood. In early 2025, fans noticed Justin began hitting the "unfollow" button on people we thought were lifers. The most shocking? Usher.
Yeah, the man who basically discovered him.
Despite a heartfelt "Love you brother" post after Usher’s Super Bowl performance in 2024, the digital tether was cut. And it wasn't just Usher. He unfollowed Poo Bear—the songwriter behind "What Do You Mean?" and "Peaches." He unfollowed his former bodyguard Kenny Hamilton. He even unfollowed his father-in-law, Stephen Baldwin, though he later claimed a "hacker" was responsible for some of the chaos.
There’s a specific kind of pain in realizing the people who saw you through your darkest years might not be the ones who get to see your brightest. Sources close to the singer have told The Sun and Page Six that Justin has a massive trust deficit right now. He feels like the people who were supposed to protect him when he was a 19-year-old "menace" actually just enjoyed the ride while he spiraled.
What Happened to Ryan Good and Drew House?
If you were a true Belieber, you knew Ryan Good. He was the "creative director" and the co-founder of Drew House. For a decade, they were inseparable. But 2025 brought a massive fracture.
Reports surfaced that Ryan Good and Justin haven’t spoken in over a year. Why? It’s complicated, but it mostly centers around Churchome and Pastor Judah Smith. Ryan reportedly raised concerns about the "cult-like" influence the church was having on Justin.
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Justin’s response was swift. He distanced himself from Drew House, the very brand he built on the philosophy of "wearing your heart on your sleeve." It’s a classic case of a friendship hitting a wall when values diverge. When your best friend tells you they’re worried about your spiritual path, you either listen or you bolt. Justin chose the latter.
The Diddy Factor and the "Happy Bubble"
We can't talk about Justin’s social life in 2026 without acknowledging the elephant in the room. The 2024 arrest of Sean "Diddy" Combs sent shockwaves through the industry, but for Justin, it seemed to trigger a total retreat.
Old videos of a 15-year-old Justin spending "48 hours with Diddy" resurfaced, and the internet did what it does—it speculated. Justin didn't release a statement. He didn't defend his old mentor. Instead, he retreated further into what insiders call his "happy bubble."
Basically, he’s terrified.
He's processing a lot of industry trauma, and seeing old "friends" get caught in the legal crosshairs has made him question everyone. He’s reportedly "disgusted" by the allegations and regrets his recent collaborations with the mogul. When the world feels that unsafe, you stop making new friends. You stay home.
The New Inner Circle: Who's Left?
So, who is actually in the room when the cameras are off? The list is incredibly short.
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- Hailey Bieber: She isn't just his wife; she’s his gatekeeper. In 2025, as rumors of "millions in debt" and mental health struggles swirled, Hailey was the one shutting it down. She’s the CEO of the household.
- Jaden Smith: This is one of the few "celebrity" friendships that has survived the purge. Why? Because Jaden grew up in the same fishbowl. He doesn't need Justin’s money or his fame. They can just exist.
- Judah Smith: The Pastor remains the most influential voice in Justin’s ear, for better or worse.
- The New Team: Justin has swapped out the "O.G." crew for professionals. He hired a new stylist, Jenna Tyson, and has been seen driving himself to meetings rather than relying on a fleet of security guards.
It’s a "dad" era, for real. In June 2025, a video went viral of Justin confronting paparazzi at a beach. He didn't hide behind a bodyguard. He stood there in a slouchy hoodie and said, "I'm a real dad with a real family... I'm not afraid to actually set boundaries."
Why This Matters for the Music
Usually, when an artist isolates, the music gets darker. But for Justin, it seems to be leading toward a "Dad Album." He’s been seen at Skate For LA Strong benefit games and posting snippets of him at a piano with Jack Blues.
The era of "Justin Bieber with friends" being a synonym for "Justin Bieber at a nightclub" is dead.
The people who are still around him are the ones willing to say "no." Or, more accurately, the ones he hasn't pushed away for saying "no." It’s a lonely place at the top, especially when you’re trying to figure out who liked you for you and who liked you for the backstage pass.
How to protect your own "Inner Circle"
Justin’s public friendship breakup is a masterclass in boundary setting, even if it’s messy. If you're feeling drained by your social circle, take a page out of the 2026 Bieber playbook:
- Audit your "Yes" men: If your friends only agree with you, they aren't friends; they're fans.
- Value history, but don't be a slave to it: Just because someone knew you at seven (like Ryan Butler or Chaz Somers) doesn't mean they fit your life at thirty.
- Prioritize the "Bubble": It’s okay to go quiet. It’s okay to focus on your partner and your kids.
- Watch the digital footprint: Sometimes, an unfollow is the only way to send a message when people won't listen to your words.
Justin is currently working on what many expect to be his most "transformative" album yet. He’s doing it with fewer people in the studio and more eyes on the exit. For the first time in his life, he’s not trying to be the leader of the pack. He’s just trying to be a guy who’s okay with being alone.
Keep an eye on his "Skylrk" brand launches in the coming months. It’s the first project he’s done without the old crew, and it’ll be the true test of whether he can thrive without the entourage.
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Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to track the current state of Justin's social circle, monitor the Churchome event guest lists and the Skylrk brand collaborations. These are currently the most reliable indicators of who is actually in his "trusted" zone versus who has been phased out. Look for names like Josh Mehl or Maeve Reilly to see if the "old guard" of stylists and confidants makes a return or if the isolation continues.