When Hailey Bieber stepped onto the Met Gala red carpet alone on Monday, it was the latest in a string of solo outings. 

The beauty mogul has been battling relentless speculation surrounding her husband, Justin, and what many fans perceive to be his public unraveling. 

In the past, the pair have walked the famous Met steps together, putting their love on full display. 

This time, amid a backdrop of concern for Justin's welfare, she stood alone, smiling and pouting, and at times clutching a martini glass.  

But Daily Mail has learned the reason for Justin's absence - and it wasn't because of any meltdown. 

Instead, the young new dad simply wanted a night on the couch, according to insiders.  

'He didn't want the headline to be all about how he looked, or about him,' says a Bieber insider. 

'There's always endless speculation. 

'But Hailey wanted to go, so she went by herself and had a wonderful time.' 

Amid a swirl of speculation over her husband's health, Hailey Bieber attended this year's Met Gala alone

Justin Bieber opted to stay home to watch hockey from his couch. 'He didn't want the headline to be all about how he looked, or about him,' says a Bieber insider 

The insider also says that the last time the couple went to the Met Gala, she was distressed by heckling fans chanting the name of Justin's ex, Selena Gomez, to the couple. 

Hailey later appeared on the Call Her Daddy podcast, revealing that the chanting really bothered her. 

'Last time wasn't great,' the insider said, 'And that was the last thing they needed at this point. 

'They don't need hecklers giving them a hard time. So this time was a lot better for her.' 

Instead of donning formalwear, the 31-year-old singer stayed home to cheer on the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Second Round against the Florida Panthers.

'He was more than happy to watch hockey,' says the insider.

'That was a lot more comfortable for him, but probably also comfortable for Hailey.' 

But the source maintains that the singer's absence should not be taken as a sign of marital discord. 

It was a girls' night out for Hailey, who attended the event with friends Kendall and Kylie Jenner 

Fans have noticed that Bieber is gaunt and disheveled when he is spotted out 

Bieber posted these tributes to his wife on social media on Wednesday 

Hailey tantalized fans with a topless photo on  her own social media on Wednesday 

'She told him all about it afterwards,' the source, who often advises Bieber spiritually, continued. 

'And he posted pictures of her on social media to talk about how beautiful she looked. He is still madly in love with his wife.' 

Fans have speculated that the marriage between Justin and Hailey has been unraveling. 

Hailey has recently appeared without Justin at several high profile events, including Miami's Formula 1 weekend, which she attended with friend Kylie Jenner. 

The rumors come after Bieber's gaunt appearance and troubling 'cry for help' livestream video on Instagram early last month.

Hailey and Justin at the 2021 Met Gala. Insiders say the pair are adjusting to their new family dynamic 

The couple welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, last year 

The speculation became even more rampant over the weekend after the singer posted several pictures, including one that appeared to show him taking a hit from what appeared to be a bong. 

His appearance at Coachella triggered panic among fans, who thought he was losing control.  

On Monday night, Hailey — who wore a simple, black Saint Laurent mini blazer — remained stoic while walking the red carpet at the gala - a polished foil to her husband's disheveled disposition. 

She then changed clothes at The Carlyle Hotel and headed to the official afterparty at Casa Cipriani where she socialized at posed for photos. 

On Tuesday night, Hailey was spotted beaming with a group of female friends during a glamorous dinner out on the town. 

Kylie Jenner, who was also one of the A-list attendees at the Met Gala, posted a photo to Instagram of four women, including her and Hailey, sitting at a table. 

While our insider acknowledges the marriage between Hailey and Justin 'isn't perfect', they insist it's part of the growing pains of a young family who had their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, last August. 

'They're figuring out a lot of stuff,' says the insider.

'So she had a couple of girls' nights out. It's fine. They're working through things.' 

Indeed Justin played the proud husband from home. 

He shared multiple photos of his wife on his Instagram story, accompanied with gushing music.