Justin Drew Bieber (/ˈbiːbər/BEE-bər; born March 1, 1994)[1][2] is a Canadian singer. Regarded as a prominent figure in contemporarypopular music,[3][4] he rose to fame in the late 2000s with his debutextended play,My World (2009), receiving international recognition and establishing him as ateen idol.
Justin Drew Bieber was born on March 1, 1994, at St. Joseph's Hospital inLondon, Ontario,[12] and was raised inStratford.[13] His parents Jeremy Jack Bieber andPattie Mallette were both 18 when Bieber was born and split up not long after his birth.[14] Pattie worked a series of low-paying office jobs, raising Bieber as a single mother in low-income housing. Mallette's mother Diane and stepfather Bruce helped her raise Bieber.[15] Bieber has maintained contact with his father.[16] Bieber's ancestry includesFrench,Irish,English,Scottish andGerman.[17][18][19]
Bieber has three younger half-siblings; the four have the same father, Jeremy Bieber. Jeremy Bieber and his ex-girlfriend, Erin Wagner,[20] who broke up in 2014 after seven years together, have two children, daughter Jazmyn and son Jaxon.[21] Jeremy married his girlfriend Chelsey in February 2018, and they have a daughter named Bay.[22][23] Bieber also has a stepsister named Allie, the daughter of his stepmother.[24]Bieber attended twoFrench-language immersion elementary schools in Stratford,Jeanne Sauvé Catholic School[15] and Bedford Public School. In grades 7 and 8, he attendedStratford Northwestern. Former teacher, Kim Booker often recalled fond memories of Bieber as her student, and is featured in several interviews. He attended Stratford'sSt. Michael Catholic Secondary School, and graduated in 2012[25] with a 4.0 GPA.[26]
Growing up, he learned to play the piano, drums, guitar, and trumpet.[13][27] In early 2007, aged 12, Bieber performedNe-Yo's "So Sick" for a local singing competition in Stratford, in which he placed second.[27][28] Mallette posted a video of the performance onYouTube for their family and friends to see. She continued to upload videos of Bieber singing covers of various R&B songs, and Bieber's popularity on the site grew.[29] In the same year, Bieber busked shows in front of theAvon Theatre steps with a rented guitar during tourism season.[30]
Career
2007–2009: Career beginnings andMy World
Bieber at a signing event in 2009
While searching for videos of a different singer,Scooter Braun, a former marketing executive ofSo So Def Recordings, clicked on one of Bieber's 2007YouTube videos by accident, where he wascoveringNe-Yo's "So Sick".[16][31] Impressed, Braun tracked down Bieber's school, the theatre Bieber was performing at, and finally contacted his mother Mallette, who was initially reluctant because of Braun's Judaism. She remembered praying, "God, I gave him to you. You could send me a Christian man, a Christian label!", and, "God, you don't want this Jewish kid to be Justin's man, do you?" However,church elders convinced her to let Bieber go with Braun. At age 13, Bieber went toAtlanta, Georgia, with Braun to recorddemo tapes.[16] Bieber began singing forUsher one week later.[32] Bieber soon signed withRBMG (Raymond Braun Media Group), a joint venture between Braun and Usher.[33]Justin Timberlake was reportedly also in the running to sign Bieber but lost the bidding war to Usher, partly due to the idea that two associated singers of the same name would confuse the market.[33][34]
Usher then sought assistance in finding a label home for the artist from then managerChris Hicks, who helped engineer an audition with his contactL.A. Reid ofthe Island Def Jam Music Group.[35] Reid signed Bieber toIsland Records in October 2008 (resulting in a joint venture between RBMG andIsland Records) and appointed Hicks as executive vice-president of Def Jam, where he could manage Bieber's career at the label.[36][29][33][35] Bieber then moved to Atlanta with his mother to pursue further work withBraun andUsher.[33] Braun became Bieber's manager in 2008.[29]
Bieber's first single, "One Time", was released to radio while Bieber was still recording his debut album.[37] The song reached number 12 on theCanadian Hot 100 during its first week of release in July 2009,[29] and peaked at number 17 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. During fall 2009, it had success in international markets.[38] The song wascertified platinum in Canada and the US andgold in Australia and New Zealand.[39][40][41] His first release, anextended play titledMy World, was released on November 17, 2009. Critics noted that material from the EP was inspired by singerChris Brown's early work. The album's second single, "One Less Lonely Girl", and twopromotional singles, "Love Me" and "Favorite Girl", were released exclusively on theiTunes Store and charted within the top 40 of the USBillboard Hot 100.[38] As a result, he became the first solo artist to have four singles chart in the top 40 of the Hot 100 before the release of a debut album.[42]
To promote the album, Bieber appeared on live programs includingThe View, the 2010Kids' Choice Awards,Nightline,Late Show with David Letterman,The Dome and106 & Park.[57]Sean Kingston appeared on the album's next single, "Eenie Meenie". The song reached the top ten in the UK and Australia, and the top 20 of most other markets. The following single fromMy World 2.0, "Somebody to Love", was released in April 2010, and aremix was released featuring Bieber's mentorUsher. On June 23, Bieber went on his first official headlining tour, theMy World Tour, to promoteMy World andMy World 2.0. In May 2010, Bieber featured in rapperSoulja Boy's song "Rich Girl".[58] In July, it was reported that Bieber was the most searched-for celebrity on the Internet.[59] That same month, his video for "Baby" surpassedLady Gaga's "Bad Romance" (2009) as the most viewed, and most disliked, YouTube video at the time.[60][61] In September, it was reported that Bieber accounted for 3% of traffic onTwitter, according to an employee of the social-networking site.[62]
Bieber performing in Indonesia during hisMy World Tour in 2011
OnMy World 2.0, Bieber's voice was noted to be deeper than it was in his debutEP, due topuberty.[63] In April 2010, the singer remarked regarding his vocals: "It cracks. Like every teenage boy, I'm dealing with it and I have the best vocal coach in the world... Some of the notes I hit on "Baby" I can't hit any more. We have to lower the key when I sing live."[64] Bieber guest-starred in the season premiere of theCBS American crime dramaCSI: Crime Scene Investigation, which aired on September 23, 2010. He played a "troubled teen who is faced with a difficult decision regarding his only brother", who is also a serial bomber. Bieber was also in a subsequent episode of the series, which aired on February 17, 2011, in which his character is killed.[65] Bieber performed a medley of his singles "U Smile", "Baby", and "Somebody to Love", and briefly played the drums, at the2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010.[66] Bieber announced in October 2010 that he would be releasing an acoustic album, calledMy Worlds Acoustic.[67] It was released on November 26, 2010, in the United States and featured acoustic versions of songs from his previous albums, and accompanied the release of a new song titled "Pray".[68] In October 2010, Bieber released his first book,Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story, an autobiography with text from Bieber and photographs fromRobert Caplin.[69]
A 3-D part-biopic, part-concert film starring Bieber entitledJustin Bieber: Never Say Never, was released on February 11, 2011, directed byStep Up 3D directorJon M. Chu. It topped the box office with an estimated gross of $12.4 million on its opening day from 3,105 theatres.[70] It grossed $30.3 million for the weekend and was narrowly beaten by the romantic comedyJust Go with It, which grossed $31 million.[71]Never Say Never reportedly exceeded industry expectations, nearly matching the $31.1 million grossed byMiley Cyrus's 2008 3-D concert film,Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert, which holds the record for the top debut for a music-documentary.[72]Never Say Never grossed a total of $99,034,125 worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing concert or performance film at the global box office.[73][74] The film is accompanied by his second remix album,Never Say Never – The Remixes, released February 14, 2011, and features remixes of songs from his debut album, with guest appearances fromMiley Cyrus,Chris Brown, andKanye West, among others.[75] Bieber was a participating player in the2011 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, held on February 18, 2011, and was named theMost Valuable Player (MVP), scoring eight points (3–11 FG) with two rebounds and four assists.[76] In June 2011, an album track fromNever Say Never titled "That Should Be Me" (featuringRascal Flatts), won him his first award incountry music for Collaborative Video of the Year at theCMT Music Awards.Time magazine named Bieber one of the 100 most influential people in the world ontheir annual list.[77] In June 2011, Bieber was ranked No.2 on theForbes list of Best-Paid Celebrities under 30. He is the youngest star, and 1 of 7 musicians on the list, having raked in $53 million in a 12-month period.[78] The same month, his collaborative single "Next to You" with American singerChris Brown was released. The unfinished video for that song was leaked online on June 6, and the official video was released on June 17.
On November 1, 2011, Bieber released theChristmas-themedUnder the Mistletoe, his second studio album.[79] It became the firstChristmas album by a male artist to debut at No. 1 on theBillboard 200, and sold 210,000 copies in its first week of release.[8] On November 19, 2021, the album was listed among the Greatest of All Time Top Holiday Albums chart byBillboard.[80] The first single from the album, "Mistletoe", peaked at number one on the USBillboard Holiday 100 and Holiday Digital Songs charts.[81] Bieber released "All I Want for Christmas Is You (SuperFestive!)" as the second single from the album, which is a re-recorded version ofMariah Carey's original single, "All I Want for Christmas Is You", with Carey providing vocals on the track.[82]Billboard listed the album and its singles, among the greatestHoliday albums and songs of all time, respectively.[83]
In late 2011, Bieber began recording his third studio album, titledBelieve.[84] The following week, Bieber appeared onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show to announce that the first single would be called "Boyfriend", and was released on March 26, 2012.[85] The song debuted at number two on the USBillboard Hot 100, selling a total of 521,000 digital units, the second-highest-ever debut digital sales week.[86] Bill Werde ofBillboard noted that it failed to debut at number one because the digital download of the track was available only through theiTunes Store, "restricting the buying option for those [who] do not frequent the Apple retail store".[87] "Boyfriend" became Bieber's first single ever to reach the top position on theCanadian Hot 100 by debuting at number one and staying on for one week.[86] Bieber was featured on Americanhip-hop groupFar East Movement's song "Live My Life", from their fourth studio album,Dirty Bass, in February 2012. The song emerged online five days before its scheduled release date and peaked within the top 30 of theBillboard Hot 100.[88] The first promotional single from the album, "Die in Your Arms", was released on May 29, 2012, and the second promotional single, "All Around the World" (featuring American rapperLudacris), followed the next week.[89][90] The second single fromBelieve, "As Long as You Love Me" (featuringBig Sean), was released on June 11, 2012. It peaked at number six on theBillboard Hot 100.[91]
His third studio album,Believe, was released on June 19, 2012, byIsland Records. The album marked a musical departure from theteen pop sound of his previous releases, and incorporated elements ofdance-pop andR&B genres.[92] Intent on developing a more "mature" sound, Bieber collaborated with a wide range of urban producers for the release as well as some long-time collaborators, includingDarkchild,Hit-Boy,Diplo, andMax Martin.Entertainment Weekly praised Bieber's musical shift, calling the album both a "reinvention and a reintroduction".[93]Rolling Stone noted the deeper voice and more "intense" beats found on the album, although it lampooned one of his euphemisms for newfound sexual maturity ("If you spread your wings, you can fly away with me").[94]Believe debuted at number one on theBillboard 200, becoming his fourth number-one album.[95][96][97] The album sold 57,000 copies in its first week in Canada, debuting atop theCanadian Albums Chart.[98] In September 2012, Bieber was featured on "Beautiful", a song fromCarly Rae Jepsen's second studio album,Kiss.[99] In October 2012, the third single fromBelieve, "Beauty and a Beat" (featuringNicki Minaj), was released. The music video held the record for the most video views in 24 hours when it was released, with 10.6 million views.[100]
Bieber performing during hisBelieve Tour in October 2012
TheBelieve Tour, which further promoted the album, began in September 2012 inGlendale, Arizona.[101] On December 14, 2012, Bieber appeared onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, where he announced plans to release an acoustic album titledBelieve Acoustic, which was released on January 29, 2013.[102] The album debuted at number one on theBillboard 200, making Bieber the first artist in history to have five number-one albums in the US before turning 19.[9]
Bieber returned toSaturday Night Live as the host and musical guest on the February 9, 2013, episode. His appearance was panned by critics[103][104] and cast members, includingKate McKinnon, who said Bieber was not comfortable with his hosting duties, andBill Hader, who said he did not enjoy the presence of Bieber or his entourage. Hader added that in his eight years on the television program, Bieber was the only host who lived up to his reputation.[105][106]
On March 7, 2013, Bieber fainted backstage at London'sO2 Arena after complaining of breathing problems throughout his concert performance and was taken to the hospital.[107] Bieber cancelled his secondLisbon, Portugal concert at thePavilhão Atlântico, which was to be held on March 12, because of low ticket sales. The concert held in the same venue on March 11 did go on as scheduled.[108] In mid-August 2013, a remixed duet version of Michael Jackson's previously unreleased song "Slave to the Rhythm", featuring Bieber,leaked online.[109] In response to criticism over this remix, theMichael Jackson Estate stated that it had not authorized the release of this recording, and has since made attempts to remove the song from as many web sites andYouTube channels as possible.[110] Later, a song titled "Twerk" by rapperLil Twist, featuring Bieber as well asMiley Cyrus, also leaked.[111] In September, Bieber was featured inMaejor Ali's song "Lolly" with rapperJuicy J.[112] A music video for "Melodies", the debut single of American singerMadison Beer, was released in the same month featuring Bieber in a cameo appearance.[113]
On October 3, 2013, Bieber announced that he would release a new song every Monday for 10 weeks as a lead-up to the filmJustin Bieber's Believe, which entered production in May 2012 and was released on December 25, 2013. The film is a follow-up to Bieber's first theatrical filmJustin Bieber: Never Say Never, with Jon M. Chu returning as director.[114][115][116] The first song of Music Mondays, "Heartbreaker", was released on October 7. The second song, "All That Matters", was released on October 14, followed by "Hold Tight" on October 21, "Recovery" on October 28, "Bad Day" on November 4, and "All Bad" on November 11. The seventh song, "PYD" (featuringR. Kelly), was released on November 18; it was followed by "Roller Coaster" on November 25, and "Change Me" on December 2. The final song, "Confident" (featuringChance the Rapper), was released on December 9, 2013. That same day, it was announced that all 10 tracks would be featured on the compilation albumJournals, which would also feature five additional unreleased songs, a music video for "All That Matters", and a trailer forBelieve.Journals was only available for purchase via iTunes for a limited time: from December 23, 2013, to January 9, 2014. The titles of the five new additional songs are: "One Life", "Backpack" (featuringLil Wayne), "What's Hatnin'" (featuringFuture), "Swap It Out", and "Memphis" (featuringBig Sean andDiplo).[117] Bieber released a song titled "Home to Mama" (featuringCody Simpson) in November 2014.[118] The same month, Bieber toppedForbes magazine'sForbes 30 Under 30 annual ranking, which lists the highest-earning celebrities under 30 for that year.[119]
Because of the disbanding ofUniversal Music's division, The Island Def Jam Music Group, in April 2014, Bieber and a number of artists were subsequently transferred to another Universal Music-related division,Def Jam Recordings, causing Bieber to no longer be signed to Island Records.[120][121]
On August 28, 2015, Bieber released a new single titled "What Do You Mean?" as the lead single from his fourth studio album,Purpose. The song is a blend of teen pop,electronic dance music and acoustic R&B.[128] It debuted at number one on the USBillboard Hot 100 and became Bieber's first number-one single in the country.[129] He set aGuinness World Record by becoming the youngest solo male artist to debut at the top of the Hot 100.[130] It also broke the record for the fastest song to reach number one on US iTunes, reaching the top spot in under 5 minutes.[131] On September 4, 2015, Bieber was co-featured alongsideYoung Thug on the album track "Maria I'm Drunk", fromTravis Scott's debut studio album,Rodeo. On October 23, 2015, Bieber released the album's second single, titled "Sorry", which debuted at number two on theBillboard Hot 100. After eight non-consecutive weeks at number two, on the week charting January 23, 2016, "Sorry" climbed to the top of the chart and became Bieber's second number-one single on theBillboard Hot 100.[132]
The third single fromPurpose, "Love Yourself" also peaked at number one in the US, making Bieber the first male artist in almost a decade to have three number-ones from an album sinceJustin Timberlake, who did it previously with his second studio album,FutureSex/LoveSounds, in 2006–07.[133] He also became the first solo artist to chart three solo songs in the top five of theBillboard Hot 100 simultaneously, and the first as a lead act sincethe Beatles in 1964.[134] "Love Yourself" toppedBillboard's Year-End Hot 100 chart in 2016, followed by "Sorry" at number two, and made Bieber only the third artist in history to hold the top-two positions of theBillboard Year-End Hot 100, after the Beatles in 1964 andUsher in 2004.[135] An album track onPurpose, "Company", was announced as the fourth single on March 8, 2016.[136] On February 12, 2016, Bieber's first four albums were released on vinyl for the first time.[137]
Purpose was released on November 13, 2015, and debuted at number one on theBillboard 200, becoming Bieber's sixth album to debut at the top of that chart.[138][139] It was the fourth best-selling album of 2015 with worldwide sales of 3.1 million copies.[140] As of June 2016, it had sold 4.5 million copies globally.[141] On November 11, 2015, Bieber announced that he would embark on thePurpose World Tour. The worldwide concert tour started inSeattle, Washington, on March 9, 2016.[142] Bieber was accompanied on the tour by his backing band,We The Band.[143]
On January 8, 2016, Bieber made UK chart history by becoming thefirst artist to occupy the entire top three of theUK Singles Chart. He achieved this feat as "Love Yourself", "Sorry" and "What Do You Mean?" charted at positions 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously.[144] On May 13, 2016, he was co-featured alongsideTowkio on the album track "Juke Jam", fromChance the Rapper's third mixtapeColoring Book. On July 22, 2016, Bieber released a new single withEDM trioMajor Lazer and Danish singerMØ titled "Cold Water". It debuted at number two on theBillboard Hot 100, becoming Bieber's third number-two debut on the ranking, passingMariah Carey's record to become the artist with the most number-two debuts in the US at the time.[145] In August 2016, Bieber was featured on French DJDJ Snake's single "Let Me Love You". The song peaked at number four on theBillboard Hot 100.[146] Bieber was also featured on American rapperPost Malone's single "Deja Vu", which later appeared as the fourth single from the latter's debut studio album,Stoney, in September 2016.[147] Bieber then appeared in the documentaryBodyguards: Secret Lives from the Watchtower (2016).[148] At the59th Annual Grammy Awards,Purpose was nominated forAlbum of the Year andBest Pop Vocal Album, whereas "Love Yourself" received nominations forSong of the Year andBest Pop Solo Performance respectively.
2017–2019: Collaborations
On January 28, 2017, Bieber starred in the2017 NHL Celebrity All-Star Game as a participating player, coached byWayne Gretzky.[149] On April 17, 2017, Puerto Rican singersLuis Fonsi andDaddy Yankee released a remix for their song "Despacito" featuring Bieber. It was the first song by Bieber in which he sings inSpanish.[150] The remix became a worldwide success and broke major chart records around the world. The song reached number one in the US and joined "Macarena" (1996) as the only English/Spanish songs to reach number one on theBillboard Hot 100.[151] It tied the then-record for themost weeks at number one inBillboard Hot 100 history. The song spent arecord 56 weeks at number one onBillboard'sHot Latin Songs chart and broke the then-record formost weeks at number one on theDigital Songs Sales chart. The remix is the most viewed song of all time on the crowdsourced media knowledge baseGenius, with 23.3 million views.[152] The song earned Bieber his first careerLatin Grammy.[153] As of September 2021, "Despacito" holds the number-one position on the Greatest of All Time Hot Latin Songs chart and number-five on the Greatest of All Time Songs of the Summer chart byBillboard.[154][155]
Bieber, along with rappersQuavo, Chance the Rapper, andLil Wayne, provided vocals onDJ Khaled's single "I'm the One", released on April 28, 2017. The song debuted at number one on theBillboard Hot 100, becoming Bieber's second number-one debut and his fourth song to top the chart.[156] One week later, "Despacito" topped the charts in the US, which became his fifth number-one single and made Bieber the first artist in history to notch new No. 1s in back-to-back weeks.[157] "I'm the One" also reached number one onBillboard'sHot Rap Songs andHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.[158] On June 9, 2017, French DJDavid Guetta released "2U", in which Bieber was featured. The first music video for "2U" featuresVictoria'sSecret models lip synching to the song.[159][160][161] On July 24, 2017, Bieber cancelled the remaining dates of thePurpose World Tour due to "unforeseen circumstances".[162][163] According toPollstar, the tour had a total gross of $257 million and 2.8 million in attendance in 162 shows, becoming one of the highest-grossing concert tours of both 2016 and 2017.[164][165]
On August 17, 2017, Bieber released the single "Friends" with American record producer and songwriterBloodPop.Julia Michaels andJustin Tranter contributed as songwriters, having previously worked with him on "Sorry" in 2015.[166] At the60th Annual Grammy Awards, "Despacito" received three nominations forRecord of the Year,Song of the Year, andBest Pop Duo/Group Performance respectively.[167] Bieber did not attend the show to perform the nominated song, claiming that he would not make any award show appearances until his next album was finished.[168] Bieber was a participating player in the2018 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game, marking his second appearance at the event.[169] In July 2018, Bieber reunited with DJ Khaled in "No Brainer", co-featuring again with Chance the Rapper and Quavo. The single peaked in the top five of the Hot 100 and reached number one onBillboard'sHot R&B Songs chart.[170] He was also featured in the accompanying music video.[171]
On April 21, 2019, Bieber delivered a surprise performance at the 2019Coachella music festival, marking his first live performance in two years, and teased his return to music with a new album.[172] On May 10, 2019, British singerEd Sheeran and Bieber released the single "I Don't Care", from Sheeran's albumNo.6 Collaborations Project. The pair had previously collaborated, with Sheeran co-writing Bieber's 2015 song "Love Yourself", and 2016 song "Cold Water" withMajor Lazer. "I Don't Care" became a worldwide hit, reaching number-one in 26 countries, while peaking at number two in the United States.[173] Bieber later featured on a remix ofBillie Eilish's breakthrough single "Bad Guy", which was released on July 11.[174] On October 4, 2019, Bieber and country music duoDan + Shay released the song "10,000 Hours", which peaked at number four on the USBillboard Hot 100.[175][176] It became the highest-charting non-holiday country song in the history of theBillboardStreaming Songs chart and spent 21 weeks at number one onBillboard'sHot Country Songs chart. As a result, Bieber became the first act in history to reach number one on seven multi-metric charts: Hot 100, Hot Country Songs, Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, Hot Latin Songs, Hot R&B Songs, Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and Hot Rap Songs.[177] It earned Bieber his secondGrammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance at the63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[178] On October 14, 2019, Bieber became the youngest solo male artist to spend 200 cumulative weeks in the top 10 of theBillboard Hot 100.[179]
2020–2022:Changes andJustice
On December 24, 2019, Bieber announced he would be releasing his fifth studio album and embarking on his fourth concert tour in 2020.[180] The album's first single, "Yummy", was released on January 3, 2020. It debuted at number two on theBillboard Hot 100.[181] On December 31, 2019, Bieber released a trailer announcing his 10-partYouTube Originalsdocu-seriesJustin Bieber: Seasons, which focused on an array of themes: his life post-hiatus from music, marriage, preparation for new music, and battle against Lyme disease.[182] The docu-series amassed 32.6 million views within its first week, breaking the record for the most-viewed premiere in its first week of all YouTube Originals.[183] Appearing onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show on January 28, 2020, Bieber confirmed the release date of his fifth studio album,Changes, to be February 14.[184] He released a promotional single for the album, "Get Me" featuringKehlani.[185] On February 7, 2020, Bieber released "Intentions", as the second single from the album. The song peaked at number five on theBillboard Hot 100.[186]Changes was released on February 14, debuting at number one on the UK and USBillboard 200 charts, making Bieber the youngest solo artist to have seven number-one albums in the US.[187] On May 8, 2020, American singerAriana Grande and Bieber released the single "Stuck with U", to help raise funds for the first responders of theCOVID-19 pandemic. The song debuted atop theBillboard Hot 100, becoming his sixth number-one single in the US.[188] On September 4, 2020, Bieber played a starring role in the music video forDJ Khaled's single "Popstar".[189]
On September 18, 2020, Bieber released "Holy" featuringChance the Rapper as the first single from his upcoming sixth studio album;[190] it peaked at number three on theBillboard Hot 100. On October 15, 2020, he released the album's second single "Lonely" in collaboration withBenny Blanco, which peaked at number 12 on theBillboard Hot 100.[191] On November 6, 2020, Bieber andJ Balvin were featured on a remix of24kGoldn's single "Mood".[192] On November 20, 2020,Shawn Mendes and Bieber released "Monster";[193] it peaked at number eight on theBillboard Hot 100. On January 1, 2021, Bieber released the third single "Anyone", which peaked at number six on theBillboard Hot 100.[194] On February 14, 2021, Bieber performed "Journals Live" in collaboration withTikTok, which marked the first live performance of his 2013 albumJournals; it was the first long-form concert event on the platform and broke the record for the most-viewed single-artist livestream in the platform's history.[195] On February 26, 2021, Bieber announced his sixth studio album would be titledJustice.[196] On March 5, 2021, he released the album's fourth single, "Hold On", which peaked at number 20 on theBillboard Hot 100.[197] On March 19, 2021, Bieber releasedJustice and its fifth single, "Peaches".[198][199] The album was met with generally positive reviews and received 8 nominations at the64th Annual Grammy Awards.[200] It debuted at number one on theBillboard 200, becoming Bieber's eighth number-one project, while "Peaches" debuted atop theBillboard Hot 100, becoming his seventh number-one single, respectively.[201] As a result, Bieber became the youngest solo artist to attain eight US number-one albums, breaking a 56-year-old record held byElvis Presley, and the first solo male artist to simultaneously debut a song and an album at number one in the US.[202] He also became the first male act to have his first six studio albums debut at number one on theBillboard 200.[203]
OnEaster 2021, Bieber surprise-releasedFreedom, agospel-inspired EP consisting of six songs.[204] On May 10, 2021, Bieber was featured on the single "Let It Go" by DJ Khaled and starred in the accompanying music video.[205] On July 9, 2021, Bieber released a collaboration withthe Kid Laroi titled "Stay". The song reached number one on theBillboard Hot 100 in its fourth week, becoming his eighth number-one single in the US.[206] "Stay" also became his 100th career entry on the chart, making him the then-youngest solo artist to chart 100 songs on theBillboard Hot 100.[207] "Stay" was the most-streamed song globally onApple Music in 2022.[208] On July 24, 2021, Bieber headlined the "Freedom Experience" show at theSoFi Stadium.[209] On August 13, 2021, Bieber released a remix to Nigerian singerWizkid's song "Essence", which peaked at number nine on theBillboard Hot 100.[210][211] A week later, he released a collaboration withSkrillex andDon Toliver titled "Don't Go".[212] On September 4, 2021, Bieber headlined the2021 Made in America Festival at theBenjamin Franklin Parkway. On October 8, 2021, Bieber released the documentary filmJustin Bieber: Our World, showcasing his preparation for his 2020 "New Year's Eve Live".[213] On October 29, 2021, he released "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree", a cover ofBrenda Lee's holiday classic.[214] On November 15, 2021, Bieber announced the international dates of his upcoming fourth concert tour, theJustice World Tour.[215] On December 5, 2021, Bieber was the headlining performer at the2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.[216]
On January 1, 2022, Bieber set the then-record for themost monthly listeners on Spotify, with a peak of 94.7 million listeners, later surpassed byThe Weeknd.[217] On March 28, 2022, the sixth single fromJustice, "Ghost", peaked at number five on theBillboard Hot 100, marking his 20th career top-five hit on the chart.[218] The single reached number one onBillboard'sPop Songs chart, making Bieber the first solo male artist to attain 10 number-one singles in the chart's history.[219] On March 30, 2022, Bieber was featured on the single "Up at Night" by Kehlani.[220] On April 15, 2022, Bieber delivered a surprise performance with Daniel Caesar at the 2022Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.[221] On April 29, 2022, Bieber released "Honest" featuring Don Toliver and an accompanying music video directed byCole Bennett.[222] On August 27, 2022, Bieber released "Beautiful Love" as an exclusive single for the battle royale gameGarena Free Fire.[223]
2023–present: Hiatus,Swag andSwag II
In January 2023, Bieber sold his music publishing rights and recording catalogue shares, up to the end of 2021, toHipgnosis Songs Fund—a sale valued at over $200 million.[224] Bieber was reportedly offered to be a headlining performer at Coachella 2023, but declined to focus on his seventh studio album.[225] On February 24, 2023, Don Toliver released the single "Private Landing" with Bieber co-featured alongsideFuture.[226] He joined Toliver on stage at the 2023Rolling Loud festival to deliver a surprise performance of the song.[227] On September 15, 2023, Bieber released anacoustic version of the single "Snooze" bySZA and starred in its music video as the latter's love interest.[228]
In April 2025,NetEase Cloud Music named Bieber as the most streamed European/American artist in the platform's 12-year history with more than 11.9 billion streams.[229] On July 10, 2025, Bieber released his seventh studio album titledSwag shortly after teasing an upcoming project through billboards inIceland, earlier that same day.[230] It debuted at number two on theBillboard 200 with 163,000 equivalent album units earned in the US in its opening week.[231] The album's lead single "Daisies" debuted at number two on theBillboard Hot 100 and became his 27th top ten single in the US, tyingJanet Jackson for the tenth-most in history.[231] On September 4, Bieber announced his albumSwag II would be released the next day.[232]
Bieber incorporates a variety of genres in his music, focusing mainly onpop,[243][244] and occasionallyR&B,[244][245]dance-pop orEDM.[243] In 2010,Jody Rosen ofRolling Stone asserted that the content of his music was "offering a gentle introduction to the mysteries and heartaches of adolescence: songs flushed with romance but notably free of sex itself".[246] During the initial years of his career, his musical style was noted for being aimed to a moreteen pop and "bubblegum-ish" direction.[247]
In January 2012, Bieber toldV magazine: "I want to do it at my own pace. I don't want to start singing about things like sex, drugs and swearing. I'm intolove, and maybe I'll get more into making love when I'm older. But I want to be someone who is respected by everybody."[248] But since then, Bieber gradually altered his artistry, with Peter Gicas ofE! Online describing "PYD" as "sexed-up", whileIn Touch Weekly magazine said that his song withMaejor Ali andJuicy J "Lolly" might make his fans a bit uncomfortable because of its lyrics that refer tooral sex.[249][112] In 2015 Bieber released theEDM-fuelled albumPurpose, where he collaborated withSkrillex,[250] and explored serious themes such as "life experiences", through "feel-good music".[251]
Voice
Bieber initially sang with aboy soprano voice,[252] before hisvoice broke, as was evidenced during the debut performance of "Pray" at the2010 American Music Awards.Sean Michaels ofThe Guardian described puberty as "the biggest threat to his career" at the time.[253]Jody Rosen commented that Bieber sings with "swing and rhythmic dexterity" on his debut album, noting his tone to be "nasal".[246] Bieber started to receive voice coaching fromJan Smith in 2008.[254]
As an adult singer, Bieber's voice type istenor, with a vocal range spanning from thebaritone A2 to the high tenor F5.[255][256] In a review of hisPurpose album, Neil McCormick ofThe Daily Telegraph complimented his "soft, supple and seductive singing".[257] Caroline Sullivan ofThe Guardian also praised Bieber's "affectedly breathy voice", noting that "the voice soon palls, but the songs are often interesting."[258] Reviewing his 2021 album,Justice,Pitchfork commented: "Bieber is not a powerhouse vocalist, but he is a compelling one, casually dropping in a stray yodel here, aMariah Carey–indebted set of runs there. His voice has a palatable smoothness; he's mastered push-and-pull dynamics, and he swings effortlessly from a placid chest voice to a zephyr of a falsetto."[259]
Following the release of his fourth studio album,Purpose, Bieber set major milestones globally. He became the first artist, since Elvis Presley in 2005, to replace his own song as number one on theUK Singles Chart.[277] He is thefirst artist in history to occupy the entire top three of the UK Singles Chart. He achieved this feat as "Love Yourself", "Sorry" and "What Do You Mean?" charted at positions 1, 2 and 3 simultaneously.[144] The singles also peaked at number one in the US, making Bieber the first male artist sinceJustin Timberlake in 2007 to have three number-ones from an album.[133] He also became the first solo artist to chart three solo songs in the top five of the USBillboard Hot 100 simultaneously, and the first as a lead act sincethe Beatles in 1964.[134] "Love Yourself" toppedBillboard'sYear-End Hot 100 Chart in 2016, followed by "Sorry" at number two, and made Bieber only the third artist in history to hold the top-two positions of theBillboard Year-End Hot 100, after the Beatles in 1964 andUsher in 2004.[135] As of 2024, Bieber has set 35Guinness World Records in his career, including eight that were achieved from the success of his albumPurpose. These records included the most streamed track on Spotify in one week, the most streamed album on Spotify in one week, the most simultaneous tracks on the USBillboard Hot 100, and the most simultaneous new entries on the USBillboard Hot 100 by a solo artist, among others.[278]
Bieber has attained success on official charts globally, including the USBillboard charts where he has set numerous records: he is the first artist in history to chart new number-one singles in consecutive weeks on theBillboard Hot 100;[157] he is the youngest (21) male soloist to debut at number one on the Hot 100;[130] he is the youngest (25) male soloist to spend 200 cumulative weeks in the top 10 of the Hot 100;[179] he is the youngest (27) solo artist to have eight number-one albums on theBillboard 200, a record held byElvis Presley since 1965;[202] he is the first male soloist to simultaneously debut a song and an album at number one in the US;[203] he is the first male soloist to spend59 consecutive weeks in the top 10 of the Hot 100; he is the first artist to reach number one on seven multi-metricBillboard charts: Hot 100,Hot Country Songs,Hot Dance/Electronic Songs,Hot Latin Songs,Hot R&B Songs,Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, andHot Rap Songs;[177] he is the solo artist with themost cumulative weeks at number one (163) on theBillboard Social 50 chart. Additionally, he is the artist with themost number-one debuts (10, tied withDrake),most number-one singles (13, tied with Drake), and themost cumulative weeks at number one (56) on theBillboardCanadian Hot 100. Bieber's hit single "Despacito" has spent themost weeks at number one (56) onBillboard's Hot Latin Songs chart and is ranked as the magazine's greatestLatin song of all time.[154] He was named the number one artist onBillboard's Social 50 chart for the 2010s and ranked as the magazine's greatestpop star of 2016.[279][280] He was also namedBillboard's top male artist for 2016 and ranked seventh on the magazine's Top Artists chart for the 2010s.[281][282] In 2021,Billboard ranked him as the 55th greatest artist of all time and the 38th greatest Hot 100 artist of all time, respectively.[283][284]
Bieber has been credited for reinventing pop stardom for over a decade[286] and has been referred to as the "Prince of Pop"[287] and the "King ofTeen Pop"[247] by contemporary journalists. Highlighting his longevity, he was awarded theMTV Award for Best New Artist in 2010[288] and theMTV Award for Artist of the Year in 2021.[289]Rolling Stone India referred to him as the "biggest popstar of our age", "one of the most captivating artists of the century" and "one of the world's most successful artists of all time".[290] Bieber is often described as apop icon, or simply an icon.[291][292][293][294] In a 2011 article comparing the cultural significance of Bieber toFacebook founderMark Zuckerberg,Orlando Sentinel said that, "Out of all the cultural icons who influence and inspire today's society, Justin Bieber is without a doubt one of the most prominent."[295] He is generally credited as an important figure in bridgingmusic andsocial media, which rose to prominence in the late 2000s;Variety dubbed him "a once-in-a-generation superstar who charted a swift and stunning rise from precociousYouTube talent to global phenomenon."[296]
In an article titled "How Justin Bieber revolutionised careers in the music industry" byThe Guardian, Tom Fazakerley says:
Social media has transformed the way people, brands and musicians communicate. The likes ofMyspace and even more so YouTube, have enabled budding artists to put their music out to a massive audience at the click of a finger. This has taken down the barriers to the music industry and reshaped the career path for budding artists ... Nowadays you can be your own artist, producer and promoter-and if you do this well, like Justin Bieber, you can really make it.[297]
He's the only person in humanity who's grown up the way he has – with smartphones and cameras on him 24/7... Another kid can go out and have a good night on the town, and no one gives a crap, but Justin is the mostGoogled person on the planet – for four years straight!
Bieber maintained his global popularity during his transition to adulthood, achieving increased artistic recognition and credit in the process. In respect to Bieber's success as a teenager to a young adult,Variety said that Bieber is arguably the first mega pop star tocome of age entirely in the social media era and also called him an "Internet icon".[296]The Conversation's Jo Adetunji said that Bieber is "one of the most successful pop singers of recent years".[306] Regarding hisEDM-driven albumPurpose (2015), which reached "beyond the moment and trends" of that period according to Adetunji, the writer argued that Bieber should be considered a serious creative artist. Adetunji compared the album toMadonna'sRay of Light (1998),Alanis Morissette'sJagged Little Pill (1995) andJustin Timberlake'sFutureSex/LoveSounds (2006).[306] In an article about Bieber, Hugh McIntyre ofForbes stated, "You may love him, you may hate him, but no matter how you feel about him, nobody can argue that Justin Bieber hasn't conquered the pop world ... TheGrammy winner can turn essentially any track into a smash, and nobody can sell a single like he can these days."[307] Also calling Bieber "an unstoppable force in music", McIntyre lauded Bieber for achieving success in various genres, includingR&B,electronic dance,hip hop andLatin.[307]
Bieber performing inZürich in 2011; he often wore purple clothes at the beginning of his career.
Usher commented that while he and Bieber were both signed at the same age, "I had the chance to ramp up my success, where this has happened to Bieber abruptly". As a result, when he was younger, Usher, Braun, Bieber's bodyguard, and other adults surrounding Bieber constantly coached him on handling fame and his public image.[16] After signing Bieber, Usher appointed one of his former assistants, Ryan Good, to be Bieber'sroad manager andstylist. Good, once nicknamed Bieber's "swagger coach", created a "streetwise look" for the singer which consisted of baseball caps, hoodies, dog chains, and flashy sneakers. Amy Kaufman ofThe Los Angeles Times comments, "Though a product of a middle-class suburban upbringing inStratford, Ontario, Bieber's manner of dress and speech ('Wassup man, how you doin'?' or 'It's like, you know, whateva' ') suggest he's mimicking his favorite rappers."[315] In 2013, Bieber said he was "very influenced byblack culture", but he neither thought "of it as black or white" nor tried to "act or pose in a certain way". To him, it was "a lifestyle-like a suaveness or aswag".[305]
Bieber was often featured in teen magazines such asTiger Beat,[16] and has been labelled a "teen heartthrob".[316] In 2010, he was frequently criticized for looking and sounding younger than his age,[317] and the following year for anandrogynous appearance, which had been commonly noted in the media, including his appearance on the cover ofLOVE magazine's androgyny issue in 2011.[318] His signaturewings hairstyle at the time brought much attention in particular.[303] His teen-pop music, image (especially as a heartthrob to girls), and the media attention he receives have additionally been criticized.[317] He has been a target of Internet bloggers andmessage board posters, especially users of the Internet message board4chan and of YouTube.[319] Nick Collins ofThe Daily Telegraph said that "Bieber's character appears to strike a particularly sour note with his Internet critics" who have questioned his manner of speech, among other things.[317]
In 2013 and 2014, Bieber's teen heart-throb and clean-cut image was drastically affected due to his involvement in several controversial events. During this period, he abandoned his pet monkey in Germany, vomited onstage, was videoed while urinating in a bucket, cursed at a photograph ofBill Clinton, wore a gas mask in public, allegedly spat on fans (although this was later debunked),[320] was involved in an explicit image with a stripper, and allegedly assaulted his bodyguard and a limo driver.[321] Bieber's uncle, Brad Bieber, said that his troublesome behaviour was caused by his break-up withSelena Gomez.[321] In its March 2014 edition,Rolling Stone put Bieber on its cover alongside the title "Bad Boy".[321] The same year, Bieber adopted thepseudonym "Bizzle".[322] During the "Bizzle" phase, Bieber donned aquiff and often wore thick gold chains andbaseball caps.[321]
In his early 20s, following the release ofPurpose, Bieber's public image changed in a more positive light. He donnedbleached blond hair and often worerock-branded t-shirts—includingMarilyn Manson andKurt Cobain t-shirts[323]—flannel shirts,denim jackets, andripped jeans.[324] He also worekilts, a trend of 1990s fashion, on several occasions.[323]Vogue remarked that his fashion during this period was reminiscent ofgrunge fashion during the 1990s.[323] After his marriage in 2018, Bieber's persona continued to change. As his fan base got older and he got married, he transitioned away from the teenage heart-throb image, taking on a more mature personality and a more soft-spoken style of speech.[325][326] In an interview withVogue in February 2019, Bieber said that he would "laugh at his past self".[327]
Wax statues of Bieber with the hairstyle from his early career are on display at theMadame Tussauds wax museums in New York City, London, and Amsterdam.[328] In 2018, "Steps to Stardom", an exhibit on Bieber's early career, opened in his hometown ofStratford, Ontario at theStratford Perth Museum, offering a collection of mementos from his formative years and rise to international stardom.[329] The items on display include a professional drum kit he owned as a younger child, his Grammy Award, microphones, hisStratford Warriors hockey jacket, and personal letters, including one fromMichelle Obama.[329] Bieber made a number of visits to the museum.[330][331] "Steps to Stardom" was originally scheduled to close in October 2018 but the board of the museum extended its stay for at least another year after the exhibit broke attendance records set by itsAnne Frank House exhibit in 2015.[332]
"Beliebers" gathering around the hotel where Bieber is supposed to be inside inOslo, Norway in May 2012
Bieber's early fanbase developed onYouTube and predated the release of his debut albumMy World.[335] According toJan Hoffman ofThe New York Times, part of Bieber's appeal stems from his YouTube channel. TheChicago Tribune noted that Bieber's fanbase, "Beliebers", was among the top words of 2010.[336] Long before the release ofMy World in November 2009, his YouTube videos attracted millions of views.[16] Braun recognized the appeal. Before flying him to Atlanta, Braun wanted to "build him up more on YouTube first" and had Bieber record more home videos for the channel. "I said: 'Justin, sing like there's no one in the room. But let's not use expensive cameras.' We'll give it to kids, let them do the work, so that they feel like it's theirs", recalled Braun.[16] Bieber continues to upload videos to the same channel and has opened aTwitter account, from which he interacts with fans regularly.[29] In January 2013, Bieber surpassedLady Gaga as the most-followed person on Twitter for the first time and held the record for 11 months.[337]
As of 2024, Bieber is thefourth-most-followed user on Twitter and the most-followed musician on the platform, with over 110.3 million followers. His YouTube channel is currently themost viewed music channel for an individual on the platform, having attracted over 32 billion views. With over 73 million subscribers, he remains the most subscribed solo artist on YouTube and held the overall record for six years. 11music videos by Bieber have surpassed over 1 billion views on YouTube (second most of all-time),[338] his most recent being "Beauty and a Beat".[339] The music video for Bieber's song "Baby" is among themost liked videos on YouTube, having received over 24 million likes since its upload in 2010.[340] Bieber was frequently a trending topic on Twitter when the feature first launched, as his fans frequently discussed him on the network, and was named the top-trending star on Twitter in 2010.[341][342][343]
Business interests
In 2010, Bieber signed a deal withProactiv.[344] In the same year, Bieber partnered withNicole by OPI to launch a nail polish line "The One Less Lonely Girl Collection", which sold exclusively inWalmart.[345] Bieber's nail polish line sold one million bottles less than two months after its release.[346] Bieber endorsedAdidas, besideDerrick Rose andVenus Williams, in 2012.[347] He became the new "face" and "body" ofCalvin Klein in early 2015.[348]Entertainment Tonight reported that Bieber had used MYO-X, a dietary supplement, in preparation for the photo shoot.[349] In June 2015, Bieber teamed up with StarShop, a new shopping app launched byKevin Harrington.[350] Bieber has been credited with boosting the careers of other singers such asCarly Rae Jepsen andMadison Beer when he tweeted about them.[351][352]
Bieber has released four fragrances.[353] He launched his debut fragrance, Someday, in 2011;[353] it grossed more than three million US dollars in sales, atMacy's, in just under three weeks, which industry experts regard as a successful celebrity-led launch.[354][355] On the heels of that 2011 best-seller, he launched his second fragrance, Girlfriend, in June 2012.[356] His third fragrance, The Key, was launched in July 2013,[357] and his latest fragrance, Justin Bieber Collector's Edition, launched in 2014.[354]
In January 2019, Bieber launched his own clothing line called "Drew House", consisting of a wide range of products. Most products feature the brand's defining symbol of a simple yellow smiley-face logo with the text "drew" written across the front. Bieber trademarked the name for his company in February 2018.[358] In September 2019, after a year-long collaboration withSchmidt's Naturals CEO, Michael Cammarata, Bieber released his deodorant line, "Here + Now", designed for sensitive skin.[359][360][361] In October 2020, Bieber collaborated withCrocs on a limited edition of the brand's renownedclogs called "Crocs x Justin Bieber". The design draws on Crocs' classic clog range with inputs of purple and yellow, inspired by Bieber's personal clothing brand, Drew House. The limited edition clogs sold at select Crocs and partner e-commerce channels, Drew House's website, and Crocs retail stores in China and South Korea.[362]
In fall 2021, Bieber collaborated withTim Hortons to launch a specialty version ofTimbits known as "timbiebs".CNN credited the promotion's role in contributing to an increase in Tim Hortons' sales by 10.3% in the fourth quarter of 2021.[363] On February 7, 2022, Bieber starred inBalenciaga's first 2022 campaign alongsideKim Kardashian andIsabelle Huppert.[364][365] In April 2022, Italian brandVespa revealed its collaboration with a new limited edition of its famed scooter curated by Bieber. The "JUSTIN BIEBER X VESPA" is modelled on a Piaggio Sprint base – available in 50, 100 and 100cc guise.[366] In May 2022, Bieber andTim Hortons partnered once again in a new collaboration called the "Biebs Brew", a French vanilla cold brew, which was available in North American stores beginning June 6, 2022.[367]
In December 2022, Bieber launched a clean water technology company called "Generosity" that aims to provide sustainable drinking water by reducing the usage of single-serve plastic. Alongside Micah Cravalho, he showcased 150 water fountains at the2022 FIFA World Cup held inQatar. Generosity fountains dispense refillable alkaline water after connecting to a water source, and are expected to be commercially available at major venues and homes in 2023.[368]
Personal life
In 2020, it was reported Bieber owned a $26 million home inBeverly Hills, California, as well as a lakeside home inOntario.[369][370] As Bieber resides in the United States, he is reported to possess a non-immigrantO-1 visa for working status based on "extraordinary ability or achievement" in an artistic field.[371] Bieber has said he is not interested in obtainingU.S. citizenship, and has praised Canada as being "the best country in the world", citing its mostlygovernment-funded health care system as a model example.[372] However, in September 2018,TMZ reported that Bieber had begun the process of becoming a United States citizen, following his marriage toHailey Baldwin.[373]
Health
Bieber has struggled with mental health issues,[374] particularlydepression andanxiety,[375][376] at various points during his career.[377] He has generally been open about these issues.[378][379] In his American YouTube docu-seriesSeasons (2020), the singer opened up about his struggles with addiction, with frequent consumption of the recreational druglean, pills such asMDMA, andhallucinogenic mushrooms in the early stages of his career.[380]
In January 2020, Bieber announced on his Instagram that he had been diagnosed withLyme disease. He also revealed that he hadinfectious mononucleosis, which affected his neurological and overall health.[381]
In February 2022, it was reported that Bieber had tested positive forCOVID-19, two days after embarking on his fourth concert tour, theJustice World Tour.[382] In June of the same year, Bieber announced that he had been diagnosed withRamsay Hunt syndrome type 2 and that half of his face wasparalyzed.[383] He cancelled and postponed concerts and appearances due to the condition, but returned to live performances in late July.[384][385] In September, two days after the first concert in Latin America as part of theRock in Rio festival, it was announced that all remaining dates of the tour would be suspended due to Bieber prioritizing his health. In a statement shared on social media, the singer said that "After getting off stage, the exhaustion overtook me and I realized that I need to make my health the priority right now. So I'm going to take a break from touring for the time being. I'm going to be OK, but I need time to rest and get better."[386]
Relationships
Bieber's father, Jeremy, is a former carpenter andpro-am mixed martial artist.[387] In March 2014,Rolling Stone characterized Jeremy as having "split with Justin's mom when Justin was a toddler, and wasn't always around afterward. But he has, as of late, accepted a place of honor in his superstar son's entourage".[388]
Bieber became engaged to model and longtime friendHailey Baldwin on July 7, 2018.[397] They had briefly dated from December 2015 to January 2016, before reconciling in June 2018.[398] Bieber and Baldwin reportedly obtained a marriage license in September 2018, leading to reports that they had a civil marriage.[399][400] On September 14, 2018, Baldwin said on Twitter that she and Bieber had not yet married, but deleted the tweet afterward.[400] On November 23, 2018, Bieber stated he was married to Baldwin.[401] Bieber and Baldwin had an official ceremony inBluffton, South Carolina, on September 30, 2019.[402] On May 9, 2024, Bieber announced through an Instagram post that he and Baldwin were expecting their first child.[403] On August 23, 2024, they welcomed a boy, Jack Blues Bieber.[404][405]
Religious beliefs
Bieber has described himself as a faithfulChristian, said he communicates withGod via prayer, and that "He's the reason I'm here".[406] He reflected his faith in a music video with Brandon Burke, titled "#iPledge", in which he talks about God's forgiveness.[407] Bieber was baptized on January 9, 2014, byPentecostal pastorCarl Lentz ofHillsong Church, New York, after aborn again experience. He has described Lentz as a good friend.[408][409] In 2021, he announced that he had become a member of Churchome, anevangelical church.[410] On July 24, 2021, Bieber led worship withGospel singersKari Jobe andCody Carnes during the "Freedom Experience" atSoFi Stadium.[411] The trio sang"The Blessing".[412]
When asked how he wants to raise his children, Bieber replied, "I'm aJesus follower. When you accept Jesus, you walk with theHoly Spirit. I just want to be led by the Holy Spirit."[413][414] Many of Bieber's tattoos have religious significance including the medium-sized cross on his chest and a tiny cross under his eye. Bieber also covered up the "Son of God" text tattooed on his abdomen with a large design that features two angels, gothic arches, a skeleton, and a serpent.[415]
Opinions
Regardingsexual abstinence, Bieber told music magazineRolling Stone in 2011, "I don't think you should have sex with anyone unless you love them." He added that he does not "believe inabortion", and that it is "like killing a baby". When asked about the case of abortion with regard to rape, he said, "I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."[372][416] In 2022, amidstRoe v. Wade being overturned, both Bieber and his wife expressed disapproval, with Bieber posting on hisInstagram story stating "For what it's worth, I think women should have the choice what to do with their own bodies."[417] His view on sexual orientation is quoted as "everyone's own decision",[418] and he has contributed to theIt Gets Better Project,[419] a non-profit group aiming to preventsuicide among LGBT youth.[420] Bieber also opposed theTrump administration family separation policy, calling forDonald Trump to "also let those kids out of cages" in 2019.[421]
Bieber supportsPencils of Promise,[427] a charity founded by Adam Braun, the younger brother of Bieber's manager.[428] The organization builds schools in developing countries, and Bieber became manager for the organization's campaign inGuatemala. He serves as a celebrity spokesman for the organization[429] by running ads for the charity and its campaign "Schools4All".[430][431] He promises to visit schools that donate the most funds to the organization.[432] He takes part in the charity's fund-raising galas and donates parts of the proceeds from his concerts and Someday line of fragrances,[433] and various merchandising to the charity. In 2010, Bieber supported a campaign forPeople for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) by urging fans to adopt abandoned pets from shelters.[434] Bieber donated his hair toEllen DeGeneres during his appearance in her talkshowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show in March 2011. His hair sold oneBay for more than $40,000 and the proceeds benefited the animal rescue charity, The Gentle Barn.[435] Following theearthquake and tsunami in Japan in March 2011, Bieber donated proceeds from his concerts in Japan toJapanese Red Cross in May 2011.[436] In December 2011, Bieber donated $100,000 to Whitney Elementary School inLas Vegas to provide students from low income families.[437] Bieber supportedCharity: Water which is a nonprofit that brings potable drinking water to people in developing countries. On his birthday in 2011 and 2012, he launched his campaign to urge his followers to donate on Twitter.[438] Bieber was named top charitable celeb of 2011 by American news aggregator and blogHuffPost.
In 2013, Bieber launched his online #GiveBackPhilippines campaign for helping the victims ofTyphoon Haiyan and travelled to thePhilippines after raising $3 million. His work in the country earned him a star on thePhilippine Walk of Fame.[439] He also supports Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Alzheimer's Association.[440] In September 2017, Bieber donated $25,000 to theAmerican Red Cross to help people inTexas after the severe destruction caused byHurricane Harvey.[441]
On February 7, 2020, Bieber donated $100,000 to Julie Coker, a 22-year-old fan who works inmental health awareness.[442] Coker revealed that her own past struggles with mental health motivated her to work for mental health. She praised Bieber by saying, "[Bieber] has a big following, so if he has a good message about mental health, hopefully everybody else . . . will want to start thinking about mental health in a different way."[443]
In February 2020, Bieber made a donation to Beijing Chunmiao Children Aid Foundation in China to supportCOVID-19 relief.[444] Bieber andAriana Grande collaborated on the single "Stuck With U", released in May 2020 as the first of series of singles coordinated by Scooter Braun, who is also Bieber's manager, to support theCOVID-19 pandemic.[445] All net proceeds from the song went to the First Responders Children's Foundation to fund grants and scholarships for children of first responders and health care workers who worked on the front lines during the pandemic.[446] By August 2021, the single had raised over $3,500,000.[447] In September 2020, Bieber andChance the Rapper announced that they had partnered withCash App and would donate $250,000 to fans who were struggling during the pandemic.[448]
In March 2021, Bieber visited theCalifornia State Prison inLos Angeles County along with his wifeHailey and pastor Judah Smith at the invitation ofScott Budnick.[449] Bieber met with inmates involved in The Urban Ministry Institute and expressed support for Budnick'sAnti-Recidivism Coalition. During the visit, Bieber committed to provide buses to transport relatives of the inmates who have been unable to see them due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in California.[449] Bieber described his visit to the prison as a "life-changing experience that I will never forget".[450]
Legal issues and controversies
Bieber had several run-ins with the law around the world before his first arrest in 2014,[451] including when he was accused of reckless driving in his neighbourhood in 2012, charged in Brazil withvandalism in 2013,[451][452] and was ordered to appear inArgentina within 60 days by aBuenos Aires court to give testimony on an alleged assault on a photographer on November 9, 2013.[453] In April 2013, Bieber was criticized for writing a message in the guestbook at theAnne Frank House that read, "Truly inspiring to be able to come here. Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been abelieber."[454] After the message was posted on the museum'sFacebook page, Bieber received widespread criticism on social media for perceived insensitivity and narcissism. The Anne Frank House defended Bieber, stating, "He's 19. It's a crazy life he's living, he didn't mean bad ... He was very interested in the story of Anne Frank and stayed for over an hour. We hope that his visit will inspire his fans to learn more about her life and hopefully read thediary."[455][456]
On January 23, 2014, Bieber was arrested inMiami Beach, Florida, together with singerKhalil, on suspicion ofdriving under the influence (DUI), driving with an over-six-month-expired licence, andresisting arrest without violence.[452][457][458] Police said that Bieber told authorities he had consumed alcohol, smoked marijuana, and taken prescription drugs.[451] He was released from these charges on a $2,500bond.[459] A toxicology report revealed that Bieber hadTHC (a principal constituent ofcannabis) and theanti-anxiety medicationXanax in his system at the time of his arrest.[460][461] In January 2021, he reflected on this event, describing it as "not [his] finest hour" and encouraging fans to "let the forgiveness of Jesus take over and watch your life blossom into all that God has designed you to be."[462] On August 13, 2014, the January DUI case was settled with aplea bargain; Bieber pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and a lesser charge ofdriving without due care and attention. He was fined US$500 and sentenced to attend a 12-hour anger management course and a program that teaches the impact of drunken driving on victims. As part of the plea bargain, he made a US$50,000 contribution toOur Kids, a local children's charity.[463][464]
Bieber's mugshots taken on January 23, 2014, after being detained by police inMiami Beach
Following Bieber's arrest on the DUI charge, more than 270,000 people petitioned theWhite House seeking to have him deported from the United States. Although the number of signatures received was sufficient to require a response under publishedWhite House guidelines, the Obama administration declined substantive comment on the petition.[465] Immigration Law expertHarlan York noted that the likelihood of Bieber being deported was extremely slim. York stated, "About a decade ago, the Supreme Court ruled that driving under the influence, typically, is not a basis to deport someone."[466]
In June 2014, a video emerged of a 15-year-old Bieber telling a joke about black people, which used the word "nigger" multiple times.[467] In the same month, a second video showed a 15-year-old Bieber giggling as he sings his song "One Less Lonely Girl", but parodying the main lyric as "One less lonely nigger", and stating that if he were to kill one, he would be "part of theKKK".[468][469] He apologized the day the latter was released: "Facing my mistakes from years ago has been one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with."[470]
One of his neighbours inCalabasas, California, accused Bieber of throwing eggs at his home on January 9, 2014, and causing thousands of dollars of damage.[451][471][472] On July 9, 2014, Bieber was charged with onemisdemeanour count of vandalism in California for throwing eggs at his Calabasas neighbour's home in January.[472][473][474] Police earlier claimed that they had video footage of him high-fiving friends after the eggs were thrown.[472][475] He pledno contest to the charge. Since then, he has permanently moved toBeverly Hills, California.[472][473][474] On September 1, 2014, Bieber was arrested and charged with assault and dangerous driving near his hometown ofStratford, Ontario, after a collision between a minivan and Bieber's all-terrain vehicle on August 29. Ontario police said that he then "engaged in a physical altercation" with an occupant of the minivan. He was released shortly and his lawyer blamed the incident on "the unwelcome presence ofpaparazzi".[476][477]
I didn't want to come off arrogant or conceited, or basically how I've been acting the past year, year and a half... although what's happened in the past has happened, I just want to... be kind and loving and gentle and soft.
—Bieber reflects in a video posted in January 2015[478]
In July 2017, the Chinese government banned Bieber from performing in China. A Chinese Bieber fan contacted theBeijing Municipal Bureau of Culture requesting the reason for the ban. The Bureau released a statement, explaining "Justin Bieber is a gifted singer, but he is also a controversial young foreign singer", and "In order to maintain order in the Chinese market and purify the Chinese performance environment, it is not suitable to bring in badly behaved entertainers."[479][480] In 2021, Chinese streaming sitesYouku,iQIYI, andTencent Video removed Bieber's scenes inFriends: The Reunion donningRoss Geller's "Spudnik" costume.[481] However, his albumsChanges (2020) andJustice (2021) have been officially released in China, with Bieber seen promoting both albums on Chinese music platforms.[482][483]
^abParvis, Sarah E (2010). McMeel, Andrews (ed.).Kansas City, MO. London: Simon & Schuster. pp. 13–17.ISBN978-1-4494-0181-8.Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. RetrievedAugust 4, 2010.
^abWilliams, Phoebe (July 19, 2012)."Teen stars in 2012".Daily Telegraph.ISSN0307-1235.Archived from the original on January 10, 2022. RetrievedApril 30, 2020.Canadian singer remains the king of teen pop, with a devoted fan base ... .
^"How Dua Lipa went from aspiring singer to one of today's top global female pop stars".ABC News. RetrievedMay 6, 2020.'I thought that was the easiest thing I could reach out to—social media and YouTube. It never had that kind of Justin Bieber effect I was hoping for,' Lipa said. 'But it created a formal portfolio for me, and then I started getting some messages from producers and people being like, 'Hey if you want to come and use the studio you can come and just write.' And that's how I started.'
^Savage, Mark (April 2, 2020)."How Dua Lipa released an album from isolation".BBC News. RetrievedMay 6, 2020.'Deep down I wanted to have that Justin Bieber effect where someone would find me on YouTube!'
^Saxberg, Lynn (February 17, 2011). "Baby Baby —better be born in Canada; Bieber disses American health care —and says no to abortion".The Ottawa Citizen. p. A.4.
Parvis, Sarah; Herman, Gail (February 8, 2011).Superstars! Justin Bieber: In the Spotlight and Behind the Scenes. Time Home Entertainment.ISBN978-1-60320-902-1..