Hailey Bieber says she wants kids 'so bad' but is 'scared' due to public scrutiny

Hailey Bieber is opening up about her fears surrounding motherhood.

Bieber, who has been married to husband Justin Bieber since 2018, shared in an interview with The Times Sunday that public criticism has deterred her journey.

"I literally cry about this all the time!" she said. "I want kids so bad but I get scared."

The Rhode Skin founder added that she already has a tough time with scrutiny about her husband and friends. "I can’t imagine having to confront people saying things about a child," she said.

But she shared what the couple plans to do should they become parents. "We can only do the best we can to raise them. As long as they feel loved and safe," Bieber said.

The model has received backlash over the years with everything from her relationship to her candid posts on Instagram.

In April, she posted on her Instagram Story that she was going through "some of the saddest, hardest moments" of her life. In March 2022, Bieber experienced stroke-like symptoms after getting a small blood clot that traveled to her brain.

Bieber explained to The Times she shared that on her story "to connect with other people who might feel that way."

Instead, she was met with "negativity." Bieber said she gets comments like "'Oh, you think we feel bad for you?' And I get it. It’s just sad sometimes that that would be how people feel about you wanting to express your emotions."

When it comes to online hate, she admitted, "Sometimes I do just want to curl up and be a hermit, like, ‘If this is how people feel maybe I should just stay home.’ But I’m really not that kind of person."

Bieber has also been subject to online hate over a perceived feud with her and Justin's ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez, leading Gomez to speak out in March against fans' harassment.

"Hailey Bieber reached out to me and let me know that she has been receiving death threats and such hateful negativity," the "Only Murderers in the Building" star wrote. "This isn't what I stand for. No one should have to experience hate or bullying. I've always advocated for kindness and really want this all to stop."

Fans have been fighting for the celebrity (Team Selena or Team Hailey) they feel is most in the right on social media and in the comments sections of the stars' own accounts. However, experts say there's no winner to be found in a toxic situation like that. They say widespread public drama can negatively affect the actual celebrities fans are talking about and can also harm the mental health of the commenters getting involved too.

Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff

More on Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber and fans' involvement in celebrity drama

• Selena Gomez, Hailey and Justin Bieber, and why there's no winner in this hateful online drama

• More: Why does the internet want a Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber 'feud' so badly?

• Justin Bieber, Hailey Baldwin, Selena Gomez and the harmful nature of 'shipping' celebrities

• 'Stan' culture needs to stop – or at least radically change. Here's why.

• Everybody wants to influence the world: Inside the fame, money and evolution of influencers

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hailey Bieber wants kids but is 'scared' due to public scrutiny