Selena Gomez appeared to speak up for suspected longtime rival Hailey Bieber — and then swiftly delete that defense — after the latter suggested that she’s “not inspired by” her fellow beauty mogul.

According to a screengrab published by TMZ, the 33-year-old founder of Rare Beauty implored her followers on Instagram to “just leave the girl alone” after Bieber’s comments were met by backlash from Gomez fans.

“She can say whatever she wants. Doesn’t affect my life whatsoever. It’s just about relevance not intelligence,” Gomez said in her own backhanded defense. “All brands inspire me. There’s room for everyone. And hopefully we can all stop.”

The Instagram Story, shared Friday night and then quickly removed, followed the 28-year-old Rhode founder’s interview with WSJ. Magazine, published earlier this week.

“It’s always annoying being pitted against other people,” Bieber said when asked about potential competition with other beauty brands. “I think there is space for everybody. I don’t feel competitive with people that I’m not inspired by.”

Many fans suspected the remark was intended to shade Gomez, who previously dated Hailey’s husband, Justin Bieber.

Sources on Friday told TMZ that wasn’t the case, instead claiming the comments weren’t directed at Gomez but were in reference to other Sephora brands.

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