Justin Bieber’s journey to superstardom has been marked by extraordinary talent, countless chart-topping hits, and legions of adoring fans. Yet, beneath the glamour lies a darker narrative—one where the young star faced troubling behavior from industry peers, interviewers, and even his own family. In recent news, the allegations against Sean “Diddy” Combs for sexual misconduct have sparked fresh discussions about the toxic environments Bieber may have been exposed to as a child star. But long before Diddy’s name made headlines, there were already concerning moments in Bieber’s career that were often ignored or shrugged off.
Let’s take a deeper look at five times Justin Bieber was mistreated in Hollywood, with little attention from fans or media until now.
1. When Katy Perry and Jenny McCarthy Crossed the Line
Hollywood is no stranger to inappropriate behavior under the guise of “playful” interactions, and Justin Bieber was no exception. In 2012, the then-18-year-old pop star found himself on the receiving end of disturbing encounters with two female celebrities—Katy Perry and Jenny McCarthy.
During the Capital Summertime Ball, Perry, who was 27 at the time, was seen grabbing Bieber’s rear during what was supposed to be a friendly hug. While many brushed off the incident as a joke, it set a troubling precedent for how boundaries were disrespected around the young star.
Later that year, Jenny McCarthy, then 39, took things a step further at the American Music Awards. McCarthy kissed Bieber’s neck and touched his butt while presenting him with an award. Despite his visible discomfort and his statement:
“I feel violated right now,”
the moment was written off as light-hearted by most viewers. These incidents, which occurred on national platforms, foreshadowed a recurring theme in Bieber’s early career—his personal space and consent were often disregarded.
2. Disturbing Radio Show Interviews
As a rising star, Bieber was subject to numerous interviews—some of which crossed lines of propriety. One of the most notable instances occurred when a female radio host asked the then-15-year-old Bieber to give her “the sex talk,” as her parents never had. Visibly uncomfortable, Bieber attempted to deflect, responding:
“Why do you want to know the s*x talk from a 15-year-old boy? That’s pretty weird.”
The pressure didn’t stop there. In a separate interview, another host prodded Bieber about his preferences for French girls, making suggestive remarks about their physicality. Although Bieber skillfully avoided saying anything that could further objectify women or damage his image, the inappropriate line of questioning underscored how Hollywood sometimes treated him more like a grown adult than the young teenager he was.
3. Justin Bieber’s Awkward Moments with James Corden and Ellen DeGeneres
Bieber’s challenges didn’t stop with inappropriate interviews. Popular talk show hosts like James Corden and Ellen DeGeneres also contributed to his discomfort. At the 2011 BRIT Awards, Corden made Bieber visibly uneasy by complimenting him repeatedly on his smell and his appearance. While seemingly harmless, the remarks—especially when directed at a 16-year-old—added to the uncomfortable interactions the young star faced during his formative years.
In 2015, Bieber appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where things took a mortifying turn. Without warning, DeGeneres displayed naked paparazzi photos of Bieber on a giant screen. The images had been taken without his consent, yet the host presented them as a joke, adding to Bieber’s list of uncomfortable moments on talk shows.
4. L.A. Reid’s Inappropriate Remarks About Justin Bieber
Even those behind the scenes in the industry have not shied away from making unsettling comments about Bieber. In his 2016 memoir Sing to Me, music executive L.A. Reid made several troubling remarks about Bieber’s appearance, describing the 14-year-old star as:
“beautiful, like a woman can be beautiful.”
He added that Bieber’s looks were:
“every bit as important as his songs.”
While fans largely ignored these comments at the time, they helped fuel an era of internet memes comparing Bieber to a young woman, further complicating his rise to fame. Reid’s remarks, which reduced Bieber to his physical appearance, were not only inappropriate but contributed to the objectification Bieber experienced as a teen star.
5. The Pop Star’s Father’s Bizarre Response to His Leaked Images
Beyond the entertainment industry, Bieber’s family life was also rife with challenges. His relationship with his mother, Pattie Mallette, was strained, as revealed in her 2012 memoir. However, it was his father, Jeremy Bieber, who caused an uproar following the leak of naked paparazzi photos of his son.
Instead of offering support, Jeremy made light of the situation by posting a crude comment on social media about his son’s genitals. This bizarre and wildly inappropriate reaction highlighted the lack of responsible adults in Bieber’s life to guide and protect him during vulnerable moments. His father’s response only added to the sense of abandonment Bieber experienced as he navigated fame.
While fans today are quick to discuss potential mistreatment Bieber may have faced under his association with Sean “Diddy” Combs, these unsettling incidents from his youth reveal a broader pattern. From inappropriate comments by industry professionals to uncomfortable situations on live television, Justin Bieber was often mistreated in plain sight—yet the world turned a blind eye.
Now, with a deeper understanding of the pressures and mistreatment Bieber faced as a young star, it’s time to reconsider how we perceive child stars and the importance of protecting them from similar experiences in the future.