Hailey Bieber Seen as Driving Force Behind Justin Bieber’s Coachella 2026 Headline

Hailey Bieber was the driving force behind Justin Bieber’s decision to headline the 2026 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Us Weekly reports, citing multiple insiders. The model, 28, has been in Justin’s corner, nudging him toward the comeback and assuring him that now is the best time to perform again.

Justin Bieber, 31, had long resisted Coachella offers but shifted course after releasing new music this summer — the albums Swag and Swag II — without the involvement of his former manager Scooter Braun. Last week, Coachella organizers confirmed he would headline next year’s festival alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G. The two-day performance is being described by multiple sources as a seven-figure payday for the Grammy winner, with estimates around $10 million. The deal, according to one Rolling Stone insider, was struck directly with Goldenvoice, the festival’s promoter, without an agent.

A first Us Weekly source said Hailey’s role was pivotal, noting she nudged Justin and has remained in his corner as he returns to the stage. A second source echoed that sentiment, characterizing Hailey as the driving force behind the decision and emphasizing how much it matters to fans to see him perform again. The conversation around the return also framed it as a turning point for Justin, who is said to feel more in control of his career and more engaged with releasing music on his terms.

Last weekend, the Bieber family — including their 1-year-old son, Jack — was spotted at Coachella Valley, where they reportedly scoped out the grounds amid the festival’s prelude. The couple has faced public speculation about their marriage, but representatives have repeatedly stressed that they remain together and focused on supporting each other, even as Justin has acknowledged the ups and downs he has navigated in recent years.

Coachella’s headlining lineup also includes Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G, illustrating a return to a high-profile stage for a star who has stepped back from the spotlight due to mental health concerns. The festival’s announcement underscored a broader trend of artists taking more control over their careers, even as they pursue major, career-defining performances.

For fans and industry observers, the arrangement signals a new era for Justin Bieber, one in which he is pursuing major projects with greater independence from past management dynamics while presenting new music to a global audience. The weekend-long spectacle in Indio, California, is expected to generate widespread anticipation as a benchmark moment in Bieber’s evolving career while marking Hailey Bieber’s visible influence on a decision that will shape the festival’s 2026 narrative.