Pop star Justin Bieber has dominated headlines for years, not just for his music but also for the controversies surrounding his rise to fame. In light of recent news regarding Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ shocking arrest, which involves allegations of sexual assault, racketeering, and prostitution, fans are now reflecting on the darker aspects of Bieber’s early career. As details emerge about Bieber’s forced alliance with Diddy, disturbing moments from his past are resurfacing, reminding us of how often fans and the public turned a blind eye to his mistreatment.
While fans were quick to overlook many incidents in the past, they now wonder what other hardships the young pop star endured. Here are five moments where Justin Bieber was mistreated, yet his fans failed to fully grasp the gravity of the situation.
1. Katy Perry and Jenny McCarthy’s Inappropriate Advances on Justin Bieber
In the world of entertainment, lines between playful behavior and personal boundaries can often become blurred, especially when it comes to young stars. Unfortunately, Justin Bieber was a victim of this, enduring uncomfortable encounters that were brushed aside as mere jokes.
A disturbing example occurred in 2012 when a then 27-year-old Katy Perry was spotted grabbing the rear of an 18-year-old Bieber at the Capital Summertime Ball. The clip from NBC’s documentary Justin Bieber: All Around the World captured the uncomfortable moment, yet it didn’t spark the outrage it deserved.
Later that same year, at the American Music Awards, things escalated when Jenny McCarthy, then 39, took things a step further. While presenting Bieber with an award, she kissed his neck and touched him inappropriately, despite Bieber squirming and stating,
“I feel violated right now.”
It was a clear breach of personal space, yet many fans and media outlets dismissed it as harmless fun.
These incidents, uncomfortable as they were, represent just a few of the many ways Bieber was exploited in the public eye.
2. Awkward Radio Interviews: The Uncomfortable Line of Questioning
As Bieber’s fame grew, so did the inappropriate behavior he faced from media professionals. At just 15, he was invited to radio shows where the line of questioning quickly became wildly inappropriate.
One notable example occurred during an interview where the host asked Bieber to give her “the sex talk,” as she had never received one from her parents. Bieber’s discomfort was palpable, and he even pleaded with his mother for help, saying,
“Why do you want to know the sex talk from a 15-year-old boy? That’s pretty weird.”
Another instance involved a different radio host, who objectified women during the interview, asking Bieber if he preferred French girls based on their physical appearance. Despite being encouraged to join in, Bieber showed maturity beyond his years by refusing to participate in the inappropriate conversation, which could have jeopardized his career.
These interviews were not isolated incidents; they reflected an ongoing pattern of exploitation of a young star in a highly public setting.
3. Talk Show Humiliation: James Corden and Ellen DeGeneres Cross the Line
It wasn’t just radio hosts who subjected Bieber to discomfort and humiliation. Popular talk show hosts like James Corden and Ellen DeGeneres also put him through awkward and inappropriate encounters.
During the 2011 BRIT Awards, Bieber was seated next to James Corden, who proceeded to make uncomfortable remarks about how “amazing” Bieber smelled, commenting on his eyes and age in a manner that made the young star visibly uneasy. Corden’s continuous barrage of inappropriate compliments left Bieber squirming in his seat.
Then in 2015, Bieber appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, where things took a humiliating turn. DeGeneres, known for her sometimes uncomfortable treatment of guests, displayed nude paparazzi photos of Bieber on a large screen without his consent. The photos, which had already caused an uproar when leaked, were projected for comedic effect, but in reality, it was another violation of Bieber’s privacy.
Despite these cringeworthy encounters being aired to millions, fans didn’t pay enough attention to the mistreatment he endured on national television.
4. L.A. Reid’s Problematic Remarks About Bieber
One of the most unsettling revelations about Bieber’s early career came from L.A. Reid’s 2016 memoir Sing to Me, in which the record executive made derogatory and objectifying remarks about Bieber. Reid described Bieber, who was just 14 at the time, as
“beautiful, like a woman can be beautiful and men rarely are,”
and further emphasized that Bieber’s
“superpower was his face.”
Reid even went so far as to suggest that Bieber’s looks were as important, if not more, than his talent when it came to landing his record deal. Such comments not only objectified Bieber but also contributed to meme culture, which saw fans trivializing Bieber’s appearance and voice.
Though Reid’s remarks should have raised alarms about the way young stars are viewed and treated in Hollywood, fans instead joined in, turning these comments into jokes that followed Bieber throughout his career.
5. His Father’s Disturbing Response to Leaked Photos
As if the public and media violations weren’t enough, Bieber faced troubling behavior within his family as well. His strained relationship with his father, Jeremy Bieber, came into the spotlight when his father posted a disturbing comment about Bieber’s private photos that had been leaked online.
Rather than offering support or comfort to his son, Jeremy Bieber’s response to the paparazzi photos was wildly inappropriate. He took to social media and commented on his son’s anatomy, shocking fans and further embarrassing Justin during an already challenging time.
This response highlighted the lack of protection and support Bieber faced not only from the entertainment industry but also from his own family during some of his most difficult moments.
Justin Bieber’s Hollywood Experience Was Anything but Glamorous
The entertainment industry has always been known for its exploitation of young talent, but Justin Bieber’s experiences serve as a stark reminder of the price of fame. From inappropriate physical interactions to invasive media coverage, Bieber’s story is one of resilience amidst the many challenges he faced as a young star.