1 Billion Rhode Deal Sparks Fiery Debate Hailey Bieber Vs Selena Gomez

In a move that sent shockwaves across the beauty industry, social media, and the world of celebrity entrepreneurship, Hailey Bieber has reportedly sold her skincare empire, Rhode, for a jaw-dropping $1 billion. The buyer? An unnamed conglomerate is rumored to have been circling the brand since early this year. While most fans are still wrapping their heads around the astronomical figure, one question is already dominating the timeline: Is Hailey Bieber finally richer than Selena Gomez?

It’s a narrative years in the making—two pop culture icons with competing beauty brands, dedicated fan bases, and intertwined histories, each playing a different game in the same billion-dollar space. With Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty previously valued at $2 billion (according to Bloomberg in March 2024), the comparison was inevitable. But Selena hasn’t sold Rare. Hailey just did.

Now, the conversation isn’t just about who made more money. It’s about strategy, timing, power, and public perception.

Rhode’s Meteoric Rise

Hailey Bieber launched Rhode in 2022 with a clear aesthetic and message: minimalist, affordable, and aspirational skincare for a generation raised on Instagram glow filters. Backed by smart influencer marketing and Hailey’s innate ability to spark viral moments with just one glazed selfie, Rhode became a brand that didn’t just sell moisturizers—it sold an identity.

From the Peptide Lip Treatment to the now-infamous Glazing Milk, Rhode’s hero products flew off the digital shelves. Social media did the rest. TikTok beauty influencers, YouTubers, and even skeptical dermatologists couldn’t ignore the traction.

But few expected Hailey Bieber to exit so early—or for such a monumental payout.

According to sources familiar with the deal, Hailey retained a controlling interest in the brand and may have walked away with $300 million to $500 million in liquid earnings, depending on her final equity and tax arrangements. That would instantly catapult her into a different wealth class than most celebrity beauty founders—most of whom are still years away from any acquisition.

Selena’s Rare Beauty Stays Put… For Now

Meanwhile, Selena Gomez, who launched Rare Beauty in 2020, has taken a much slower, more deliberate path. Rare Beauty is synonymous with Selena’s mental health advocacy, authenticity, and a less glossy but deeply relatable image. Instead of lip gloss marketing, Selena built Rare around self-expression, imperfection, and self-love.

Despite those deeper values, the numbers are just as serious. In early 2024, Bloomberg valued Rare Beauty at $2 billion, making it one of the most successful celebrity-led brands in the world. But unlike Hailey, Selena has not cashed out. In fact, she’s reportedly still heavily involved in operations, product development, and its mental health foundation.

That leaves the two in very different positions. Hailey has liquidity. Selena has valuation. But in the court of internet opinion, money in the bank sometimes speaks louder than future potential.

Breaking Down the Net Worth

Prior to the Rhode sale, Hailey Bieber’s net worth was estimated to be around $20 million, mostly from modeling contracts, brand deals, and early sales of Rhode. Now, with a $1 billion brand deal under her belt and a likely eight- to nine-figure personal gain, that number could skyrocket beyond $200 million—making her one of the richest women in Hollywood not tied to traditional entertainment income.

In contrast, Selena Gomez’s net worth hovers between $95 million and $120 million, fueled by her music, acting, producing, brand collaborations, and ownership in Rare Beauty. But that number hasn’t changed drastically in the last year.

Which begs the question: Did Hailey just leapfrog Selena financially—if only temporarily?

Fans React to the Money Power Shift

Predictably, the internet exploded.

“So Hailey outsold Selena now? In her glazed era for real.”
“Selena BUILT Rare from the ground up. Hailey just flipped it.”
“Rhode getting a billion-dollar valuation in just three years? Kind of iconic.”

Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit have been full of hot takes, theory threads, and even digital spreadsheets attempting to compare the two moguls in real time. It’s become a virtual scoreboard, with fans dissecting every financial move like it’s a sporting event.

While some are praising Hailey’s business acumen, others accuse her of “selling out” too soon. Meanwhile, Selenators argue that Selena’s slow-burn strategy will ultimately prove more valuable—both emotionally and financially.

The Celebrity Brand Landscape Just Shifted

What makes Hailey’s sale especially seismic is its implication for other celebrity entrepreneurs. The beauty industry has been flooded with star-led lines in recent years, many of which quietly fail or stagnate after launch. Few hit the billion-dollar mark—fewer still are sold for that amount.

Hailey Bieber didn’t just launch a beauty brand—she flipped it into a billion-dollar payday in under three years. That speed is rare. That kind of exit is rarer.

It sets a new standard for what’s possible in the celebrity-to-founder pipeline. Fast in, fast out, massive check. That’s a dream model in tech—but until now, almost unheard of in beauty.

Will Selena Sell Rare Beauty Next?

With the public watching every move, pressure is now mounting on Selena Gomez to make her next big play. Will she sell Rare Beauty at an even higher valuation? Or will she double down, stay the course, and remain the face of an independent brand that continues to prioritize mission over money?

Insiders close to Rare say Selena has no intention of selling in 2025, but deals can shift quickly—especially when billion-dollar figures are involved.

What’s clear is that Hailey’s move changed the board entirely. It’s no longer just about product quality or branding—it’s about exit strategies, ownership, and long-term influence.

The Numbers Tell a Story But Not the Whole One

On paper, Hailey Bieber might now be richer than Selena Gomez, thanks to a high-profile acquisition. But Selena’s assets are more diversified, and her long-term value could still surpass Hailey’s, especially if Rare continues to grow.

Still, fans and industry watchers are treating this moment as a major turning point. The rivalry—manufactured or not—between these two icons has taken on new meaning.

One cashed out. One stayed in. One holds the cash. One holds the equity.

For now.

Final Word

This isn’t just about two celebrities. It’s about how modern fame intersects with startup culture, how beauty standards translate into business empires, and how quickly a narrative can flip in the age of the 24/7 digital economy.

So yes, Hailey Bieber might be richer than Selena Gomez today.

But if we’ve learned anything about celebrity empires, it’s that today’s headline isn’t always tomorrow’s reality.

And the world is watching—refreshing their feeds, comparing their glosses, and waiting to see which mogul blinks next.