It’s nice to have a friend.
Especially when the friends are both going through breakups with brothers. Such was the case for Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift, who first met in 2008 while dating Nick Jonas and Joe Jonas, respectively, and then leaned on each other after they all broke up.
“Everything was cute, we were young,” Selena said of their time dating the Jonas Brothers members during an appearance on the Aug. 6 episode of the Therapuss podcast. “We all know and love each other now and it’s so cute. We don’t know what we were doing—she and I like to say the best thing we got out of those relationships was each other because it was really sweet. I was about 15, she was about 18, and that’s when it was crazy curly Taylor and she had all these bracelets.”
The Rare Beauty founder continued, “At that age we became best friends—bonded over the breakup, as girls do. And then we just stuck around for all the ups and downs that came after, and here we are now 16 years later.”
Selena also detailed an especially enchanted moment from the early days of their friendship.
“I believe ‘Love Story’ was the first song she had ever played me and it wasn’t released yet,” she remembered. “I was in a hotel room and I remember it vividly, it was just one of those songs I instantly heard and thought this is one of the most beautiful songs ever.”
Calling the moment “so sweet,” Selena continued, “She was like ‘Okay I just want to play you this song but, I don’t know, it’s going to be the first single I think.’ And just hearing her say those little thoughts and just listening to it—she’s incredible.”
Indeed, Selena and Taylor have remained thick as thieves over the years, standing at the other’s side for all their biggest moments.
For instance, Taylor was among the guests at Selena’s recent 33rd rooftop birthday party. The pals posed together amid silver and gold balloons in Selena’s July 20 Instagram post from the festivities, in which the Disney Channel alum reflected on “the incredible journey” that brought here to where she is today.
Taylor also made sure Selena was properly celebrated. As seen in an Instagram Story shared by Selena’s fiancé Benny Blanco, Taylor really rose to the occasion and gifted her BFF a homemade sourdough loaf, a Le Labo candle as well as bottles of balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
"It's a loaf story," the Midnights artist wrote on a tag adorning the gift basket, a reference to that song she first played for Selena all those years ago, while another tag read, "Love, Taylor."
For more of Taylor and Selena’s cutest moments, keep reading.
Summer Selfie
Selena shared this pic with her BFF days after they reunited at the 2023 MTV VMAs.
Kisses
Taylor kisses her bestie.
VMAs Reunion
The two reunite at the 2023 event.
Fourth of July 2023
The pair celebrate Independence Day together with friends at Taylor's party.
Independence Day Selfie
The two pose for a pic at Taylor's 2023 party.
Selena Turns 30
Selena celebrates her 30th birthday with friends, including Taylor, 32.
Selena's 30th Birthday
Selena writes on her Instagram, "30, nerdy and worthy."
Selfie Sisters
"I'm grateful for those I surround myself with. And this woman right here happens to be one of my favorites. Love our tradition and I love you," wrote the "Hands to Myself" singer in a sweet Instagram pic posted the day after their reputation show.
reputation Duet
Reuniting onstage for the "Look What You Made Me Do" singer's Rose Bowl concert, the longtime besties serenade the crowd with Gomez's hit "Hands to Myself."
Sharing the Stage
They share a sweet moment onstage at Taylor's reputation tour concert at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. in May 2018.
Grammys Dates
The two arrive at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
So Many Hugs!
The BFFs hug at the 2016 Grammy Awards.
Power of Three
During the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iconic pair pose with "Starlight" singer Serayah.
Hugs!
The two embrace during the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
iHeartRadio BFFs
The "Bad Liar" singer gives her bestie a tight hug backstage of the 2016 iHeartRadio Music Awards. That night, Swift won four awards—Female Artist, Tour, Meme-able Moment and Album—and Gomez won TripleThreat.
1989 Tour Fun
The two perform onstage during Swift's 1989 tour show in Los Angeles on Aug. 26, 2015.
VMAs Dates
They also hit up the 2015 MTV VMAs.
Camila's Girl Group
"Happy birthday my nugget. #girlsnighttothefullest," writes the "Wolves" singer on Instagram for Cabello's special day.
Birthday Bash
In celebration of Camila Cabello's 18th birthday in 2015, the "Havana" singer surrounds herself with famous friends, including the "Delicate" pop star, the "Back to You" singer, Jaime King, Hailee Steinfeld, Sarah Hyland, Joey King, Hayley Williams and the Haim sisters.
More AMAs Love
The two hang out at the 2014 American Music Awards.
Mermaid Style
They know they both got it.
Met Gala Besties
The two hang out at the 2014 Met Gala, as seen in this Instagram video.
Back in the Day...
Taylena joins Nicki Minaj and Katy Perry at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Out of the Woods
Are they out of the woods yet? In a funny Instagram post, the besties pose in major greenery and joke about Swift's 2016 hit.
Goofy Gals
At the 2011 American Music Awards, the stars have some fun and make their 3-D glasses and neon sticks look glamorous.
AMAs Love
The singers hang out at the 2011 American Music Awards.
Cinderella Story
Taylena look adorable at the premiere of Another Cinderella Story in 2008.