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Selena Gomez & Niall Horan Dating? One Direction Star Praises Her Beauty, Talks Rival Justin Bieber

By Joanne Eglash
Published on: 06:44 PST, Dec 2, 2016

Has Selena Gomez found a new boyfriend after her on-again, off-again romance with Justin Bieber? Rumors linking Selena and One Direction crooner Niall Horan have been swirling, and now Niall has responded to questions about the possibility of the two dating, including a response to a query as to whether he would battle Justin over Gomez.

Teen Vogue noted that Selena achieved “the ultimate comeback at this year’s American Music Awards,” taking home the Best Female Artist award and earning praise for her moving acceptance speech, with those touched by her speech including “rumored ex Niall Horan.” Horan was seen hugging Gomez at the awards show.

Rumors started swirling about Selena’s and Niall’s embrace, including the possibility of the two dating. Ryan Seacrest boosted the buzz during a radio interview with Horan.

“People speculated you might rekindle with, Selena…but you have a girlfriend, right?” asked Ryan.

“I don’t have a girlfriend,” said Niall.

“You should rekindle with Selena,” suggested Seacrest. “I like her.”

Hollywood Life noted that Horan responded to Ryan’s question about the speculation that he might rekindle his romance with Gomez.

“Sort it out!” requested Niall of Seacrest.

As for the last time that Niall was in a committed relationship, it was about a year ago. But rumors about his relationship with Selena began in December 2015, when they allegedly kissed at Jenna Dewan’s birthday party. As for how Horan feels about Gomez now, he turned to Twitter following her acceptance speech for Favorite Female Artist at the 2016 AMAs.

“Just watching the show back from last night. Really great show,” Niall tweeted. “…Love to Selena for the speech, brave young woman.”

When it comes to how Selena feels about the possibility of rekindling her romance with Niall, she’s “flattered,” an insider told Hollywood Life.

“Selena is flattered by what Niall had to say to Ryan, but part of her recovery involves no serious relationships.”

Moreover, the source revealed that for now, Gomez has “been advised not to date.” Instead, the songstress is “focused on herself and spending time with close friends.”

And the intrigue over the possibility of Horan and Selena dating doesn’t stop there. In a new interview, Niall praised her as “very beautiful” and responded when asked if he would battle Justin Bieber for her, according to Hollywood Life.

The new video with Wild 949 featured the former One Direction star gushing about Gomez as well as responding to an unexpected question about Bieber.

“She’s very beautiful.”

Horan then was asked if he would fight Justin for Selena.

Niall Horan was asked about speculation regarding dating Selena Gomez. [Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP Images]

“Would you be willing to fight [Justin] Bieber though? He seems to still be in love with her,” noted the interviewer. “If anything happens he’s going to be like, ‘Where’s Niall?'”

Horan reportedly “shook off any awkwardness,” reported the media outlet, which noted that his response sounded as if Niall said he is “friends” with Bieber, so a battle isn’t likely.

In addition to dishing on his love life and Gomez, Niall recently talked about the future of One Direction. Horan offered up an OMG prediction for One Direction fans, reported People.

Despite the heartbreak some fans experienced when the quartet of crooners left revealed plans for a hiatus last year, Niall promised that One Direction “will be back.” Horan contended that they “would be silly not to” make a return, calling it “ridiculous” to do so as he confirmed that the break is not permanent.

Niall Horan talks about One Direction’s future. [Image by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP Images]

In the interim, Niall has become known as a solo artist as well, with his first single, “This Town,” released in September. He recently revealed that all of his fellow One Direction stars are “doing [their] own thing…I don’t think anyone needs to worry about us – we are fine.”

In addition to Horan’s solo artist status, Harry Styles has experimented as an actor in Dunkirk. Liam Payne also has been focused on his own solo success, while Louis Tomlinson has a new role as a proud papa after his son Freddie was born.

[Featured Image by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP Images]

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