Report: Selena Gomez ‘Terrified’ by Death Threats from Jealous Fans of Rumored Boyfriend Justin Bieber

Selena Gomez is reportedly terrified of rumored boyfriend Justin Bieber’s jealous fans, who have launched a hate campaign involving death threats and vitriolic messages directed at the Wizards of Waverly Place star.

“Selena’s terrified,” a source close to the multi-talented actress and recording artist tells Star Magazine. “She’s only young and when she sees things written about her, she understandably freaks out. Justin tries to reassure her, but what can he do?”

Gomez was initially targeted by Bieber’s fans when pictures from their Caribbean vacation surfaced on the Internet in January. The young stars were spotted kissing and embracing while donning bathing suits on a private yacht in St. Lucia.

The abusive messages relented shortly after Gomez, 18, and Bieber, 16, played down their rumored romance, but she was bombarded with threats once again after they attended Vanity Fair’s Oscars after-party arm-in-arm, wearing matching red and black outfits, and sneaking kisses in front of cameras.

Gomez, who debuted a new song entitled “Who Says” on Ryan Seacrest’s KIIS FM radio show Tuesday, is not the first famous female to find herself on the receiving end of death threats from Bieber’s temperamental supporters.

Kim Kardashian received death threats from the “Baby” singer’s fans in May 2010, when he posted a photo of himself with the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star on his Twitter feed and jokingly wrote, “Look, it’s my girlfriend.”