I Did Not Interview Justin Bieber

Okay so here’s what happened - I had my Justin Bieber post ready to go. He was going to be on my “artists who transport me” list, because I have been to Canada before, and his music really just takes me back there, you know? But I really felt like I would be doing my audience a disservice if I didn't speak with Justin personally. I know I could have just stuck to his “lazy” YouTube karaoke or the Billie Eilish appearance or the pervasive Selena Gomez rumours that have haunted him for literally half his life, but if I wanted to write ad captandum vulgus, I would work at TMZ.

I emailed Justin’s team to ask if his return to the stage is an act of healing or if he’s caving to the pressure. They haven't responded, which is actually the most profound response they could have given.

His manager said 'no' to an interview, which is such a gift, because I decided to interview the aura of the performance instead. The aura was giving 'I meditate now' and 'generosity of spirit.' It said, “I’ve been doing parts work and I just make whatever music I want because when you’re this naturally gifted and famous you can do that.” And that was so much more sophisticated than whatever PR-approved quote he would have given me about “loving the OG fans.”

It really just seems like whatever he does he attracts scrutiny? Like he put himself out there and took a creative risk. If I got that level of criticism every time I was seen in public, I would use my riches to retire off-grid like a hobbit in New Zealand. And I didn't even think the boots with the jorts were that bad.

God. Here’s Justin Bieber.

Justin Bieber

• Sign: Pisces
• For fans of: Crashing out on stories, Djo, angelic vocals, Dijon, Controversy

Coachella was a big return to the stage for Justin, who cancelled a tour in 2023 and has been partaking in varying levels of rest and relaxation ever since. He also welcomed his first and only child around that time, but I guess I’m the only person who thinks a father taking a long paternity leave is just a nice thing to do and not a cry for help.

During the break, Justin did a Taylor Swift “no one saw me for a year” thing, meaning he was seen and heard from like a lot but probably felt a little uncomfy about it. He also released a double album, SWAG and SWAG II, which was a clear departure from his pop origins, more R&B and very influenced by his collaborators Dijon and mk.gee.

So yeah, his set was hotly anticipated and people wondered if he would just do the new album or like a mix of stuff, and how many dancers he would possibly need. He ended up mostly performing stuff from SWAG, and did this really moving song called “EVERYTHING HALLELUJAH” about being #blessed and grateful for life’s simple pleasures. As someone who just started listening to Justin Bieber recently, I loved it.

He also did performance art with his laptop, and he like, pulled up his old stuff on YouTube, which, yeah, he sang along to. I would call it a little more high-brow than karaoke though. Overall, I felt that his stage presence was very joyful and that he would be a fun person to silently scroll on my phone next to.

And really we can’t talk about this performance outside of its historical context, because before everyone was doing "GRWM" videos and trying to sell you weight-loss supplements, Justin Bieber was posting covers on YouTube.

Justin Drew Bieber may have once been “just a kid who liked to sing,” but today he’s a generation-defining pop star. Born March 1, 1994 at 12:56am in St. Joseph's Hospital, London (Ontario, Canada), Justin was discovered at like, twelve, by Usher. Or Scooter Braun, I always mix them up. Which one is with Sydney Sweeney? The point is I was also discovered young (regionally) so I really find that story resonant.

His discography is staggering. From “Baby,” obviously, through the Purpose days which gave us breakup anthems “Sorry” and “Love Yourself”, to summer vibed “Peaches”, a song that reminds me of stopping at a little roadside farmstand and getting perfectly ripe peaches in the company of someone you’re like really down bad for.

What was I talking about?

Oh, he’s won a lot of awards, too. Some AMAs, two Grammys out of 27 (!!!) nominations, a VMA, I believe, possibly multiple. I didn't write them all down because I was focused more on the emotional throughline. Being famous from such a young age, Justin’s personal life is well -documented; even the unflattering moments. He went through a whole phase, with the tattoos, and the legal stuff, and Selena Gomez (iconic, complicated, not my place). Then in either 2015, 2016, or 2018 he found Hailey Baldwin and God.

And now that Justin seems to have turned a corner, all anyone can talk about is what’s next. A tour? I would know if his team were returning my calls.

Links

• Instagram: @lilbieber
• TikTok: @justinbieber
• YouTube: Justin Bieber

Parting Thoughts

I found out Jack Quaid and Claudia Doumit are for certain legally married at 2 am in the middle of writing this, and I was SO excited. Like, I love love. I'm obsessed with the sanctity of a celebrity union. Couldn’t wait to write about it.

I then found out Zoë Kravitz and Harry Styles are definitely, probably engaged and I had to lie down on my kitchen floor for a time. Like I don’t get why they would tell Page Six they were getting married and not me like I’m such a better friend. Anyway.

This is about Justin Bieber and I think I handled all of that really gracefully.

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💛 N

Please share this! It was hard for me to write and I'm proud of myself.