Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez in apparent social media spat over Sofia Richie photos

Justin Bieber’s ex-girlfriend, singer-actress Selena Gomez, reportedly has weighed in on the pop star’s threat to turn his Instagram page private because of comments attacking his traveling companion, Sofia Richie.

In what People and Elle magazines, among others, said was one of the more than half-million comments made to Bieber’s post before disappearing into the volume of messages, the 24-year-old Gomez reportedly chided, “If you can’t handle the hate, then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol- It should be special between you two only. Don’t be mad at your fans. They love you and supported you before any one ever did.”

Bieber retorted, according to additional screengrabs without links to online originals, “It’s funny to see people that used me for attention and still try to point the finger this way. Sad. All love.” In a second claimed comment, the 22-year-old wrote, “I’m not one for anyone receiving hate. Hope u can all be kind to my friends and eachother. And yes I love my beliebers.”

In another such screengrab, Gomez is said to have responded, “Funny how the ones that cheated multiple times, are pointing the finger at the ones that were forgiving and supportive, no wonder fans are mad. Sad. All love.” Per a final such screengrab, Bieber reportedly replied, “I cheated... Oh I forgot about you and Zayn?” In the January issue of InStyle magazine’s UK edition, Gomez dispelled rumors of a romance between herself and former One Direction singer Zayn Malik, saying, “If he had asked me out on a date, I would be seen with him. Just kidding, but not kidding.”

Neither Bieber nor Gomez has denied or otherwise commented on social media about the veracity of the purported comments.

Gomez’s representative did not respond to a Newsday request for comment. A representative for Bieber could not be reached.