When Pop singer Justin Bieber broke onto the music scene, everyone had nothing but amazement on their faces, especially young teenage girls all over the world. Being the sweet and cute young star that he was, no one would guess that the singer would take a turn for the worse in the years coming.
Born Justin Drew Bieber, the Canadian Pop and R&B singer found fame at the age 13, when he was spotted by former So So Def marketing executive Scooter Braun, who in 2008, stumbled upon performance videos of Bieber on Youtube. Soon after, Bieber would find himself flying to Atlanta with Braun to record demo tapes and audition for veteran R&B star Usher. This would be a “dream come true” for Bieber as he was then signed to Usher and Braun’s joint venture Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG) and then to Island Records in October of the same year.
His debut EP My World was released in November 2009 and debuted at #6 on the US Billboard Album Charts, making it the strongest-debuting release for a new artist in 2009 at the time and eventually going platinum in the US and double platinum in Canada and Britain. In 2010, his debut album My World 2.0 was released to instant success, with the album’s lead single “Baby” proving an instant hit charting at #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and in the top ten on several international charts.
The star went on to have many more accomplishments with his music over the years, topping charts and collaborating with artists such as Sean Kingston, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Tyga, Usher, Big Sean, Lil Wayne and many more chart topping artists. Justin Bieber has also won many awards that make him one of the greatest young artists in the music industry today. However, it seems as though there is a price to pay when fame and fortune is involved, as the teen star has begun spiraling out of control in recent months.
In many instances, Justin Bieber has had many altercations with the paparazzi who at times manage to get the better of him. He often lashes out, cursing and shouting threats which cause the press to get all fired up and taunt him even more. The star has also had many altercations with his neighbours for driving recklessly and making too much loud noise from partying. He was recently under police investigation, following an incident where Bieber was alleged to have thrown eggs at a neighbour’s house.
Following that, an alleged video of Bieber was leaked by a Brazilian prostitute, showing him asleep on her bed in the infamous Centauros brothel in Rio de Janeiro – an allegation which he denies. While in Brazil, he was also caught spray painting “Bielibers 4 Life” on a hotel wall in upmarket district of Sao Conrado, and faces arrest should he return to the country. His most recent altercations with the police include getting arrested in Miami Beach, Florida for driving under the influence where according to TMZ reports, the arresting officers stated that he “reeked of alcohol“. Justin Bieber was also recently charged with the assault of a limo driver, and in this instance, the star turned himself in to the authorities.
It is really puzzling as to why the Pop singer, who is only 19 years old, is spiraling out of control in this way. Some people are suggesting that its due to the bad company that he has recently been hanging out with, others say he is just young and doing what most young people do, a suggestion which I agree with. However it has got to a point now, where it is all getting out of control. It has been suggested that his parents are too starstuck by their son to set him straight – in an interview on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live last year, his mother Pattie Mallette said “he knows what I disagree with and he knows all the things that I’m really proud of him for“.
Celebrities such as Kelly Osbourne and Kylie Jenner have come in the defence of Bieber and there were also rumors that actor Will Smith would be giving the troubled teen some mentoring. What we would like to see, is his mentor Usher lending a helping hand, because Usher started off in the music business as a teenager and has been through the proverbial furnace, he would be the most ideal positive role model that Justin Bieber needs right now.
No one is really sure as to what is driving Bieber to act wild in the recent months and the negative press does not help either. We have all made mistakes during our teenage years and it is only a part of growing up. I honestly think this is only a phase that he will soon get over, the transition from teenager to adulthood is always quite confusing with most young people trying to find themselves and figure out who exactly they are. In this case, it would be extra difficult for Bieber, making this transition in the public eye, as people still see him as that young and innocent boy which he clearly no longer is.
He is an adult, he feels like an adult but is perhaps confused as to how to show people that he has grown up. There is hope for Bieber, he has the support of his parents and his loyal fans. He may need some professional help to stop him from following the steps of former teenage stars that have gone a little wild like Miley Cyrus, Amanda Bynes and Lindsay Lohan, but it is important that people and the media focus on his music rather than what he does in his personal life.
Words by Feliciana Lumona // Edited by Ayo Adepoju
