Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer and songwriter who became a global superstar at the age of 12 after his mother posted videos of him singing on YouTube. The clips soon built up a fan following, and American Record industry entrepreneur Scooter Braun helped secure a talent deal with Bieber.
Born in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, on March 1, 1994, Bieber is of French-Canadian, Irish, German, English, and Scottish descent. He has three half-siblings.
His parents divorced when he was young and he was raised by his single mother. He showed early signs of musical talent, and learned to play the drums, guitar, trumpet, and piano.
He took second place in a local singing competition at a young age and eventually started posting videos of himself performing on the Internet. These videos were shared by other fans who were unable to attend the event, and Bieber quickly became known as a talented young performer.
Although he was never formally trained, he learned to sing by listening to music on the radio and watching video tapes of popular artists. He has performed on numerous television shows and in concerts around the world.
In 2009, Bieber won the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and was named Teen Artist of the Year. He also received a nomination for the Billboard Awards in 2010.
His debut album “My World” was released in November 2009. It featured seven songs that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and earned him a platinum certification from the RIAA.
He was accompanied by rapper Ludacris on the single “Baby.” The song was a huge hit, and Bieber became an international sensation. His debut was a critical success, earning him a Grammy Award for Best New Artist and two Brit Awards.
Despite his success, Bieber has struggled with various personal issues including addiction and depression. He is now being treated for these problems and is actively working on cleaning up his public image.
Aside from music, Bieber has also become a strong advocate for charitable causes. He is involved with Pencils of Promise, a non-profit organization that builds schools in impoverished areas and brings clean water to people who cannot afford it.
Bieber has also supported the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rescue group, by urging his fans to adopt abandoned pets. He has also donated his hair to Ellen DeGeneres, and has been a supporter of the Japanese Red Cross after an earthquake struck Japan in 2011.
While many celebrities are often focused on their personal lives, Justin Bieber is often found on the road, touring and performing live. He is constantly in the public eye and has to deal with the scrutiny of being a star, but this doesn’t keep him from having fun.
In September, he finished recording his new album in Santorini, Greece, and reflected on all of the places he’s been throughout his career. He shared a 10-part YouTube docuseries about his journey, entitled “Justin Bieber: Seasons.”
He has also continued to be an outspoken advocate for the environment and climate change. He is a member of the Environmental Protection Agency’s advisory board and has been on the Board of Directors for charity:water, which aims to provide potable water to people in developing nations.