Justin Bieber, Canadian singer and songwriter, was discovered as a YouTube sensation when he posted videos of himself performing popular rhythm-and-blues songs at age 12 while his mother took care of him. He was scouted by American recording industry executive Scooter Braun, who helped him sign a deal with RCA Records and released his debut album, My World in 2009.
His first four singles from the album reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The success of the album and his sexy, young person image brought him international fame. As he entered adulthood, his romantic relationships and skirmishes with the law attracted significant tabloid attention. He became a spokesperson for the Pencils of Promise charity and contributed to the It Gets Better campaign to raise awareness about bullying against LGBT youth.
In 2015, Bieber’s Purpose album found a wider audience beyond his youthful fan base. Its singles “What Do You Mean?” and “Sorry” became hit records, as did the song “Despacito” with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. His collaborations with other artists—such as the electro-pop track “Where Are U Now” with Jack U and the Grammy Award-winning “10,000 Hours” with Dan + Shay—earned him even more hits.
Bieber has also made headlines for his philanthropic efforts, including a $1 million donation to help the victims of the December 2016 shooting at an anti-gay hate group’s rally in Texas. He has spoken out against homophobia and anti-Semitism. He has a fragrance line and has invested millions of dollars in several startup technology companies, including Tinychat, Stamped, Sojo Studios and Beats Audio.
He has also started Drew House, a clothing brand named after his middle name that features bright colors and oversized clothes. He is a celebrity ambassador for the anti-bullying campaign Pencils of Promise and has appeared in a public service announcement in support of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He has also spoken out against sexism and racism.
He is the son of Pattie Mallette and Jeremy Bieber, who separated when he was a toddler. He was raised by his mother in low-income housing in the Stratford neighborhood of London, Ontario, Canada. He showed a facility for music at an early age and began taking drum lessons. He also learned to play piano, guitar and the trumpet. His mother encouraged him to post videos of himself singing on YouTube. The videos were originally intended for his friends and family but quickly went viral. The site now hosts more than a billion videos. As a result of the publicity, Bieber’s life has been transformed. He now has a multi-million-dollar empire, has donated more than $125 million to charities and has a string of No. 1 albums and chart-topping singles. He has sold more than 100 million records worldwide. He has also received numerous awards and accolades, including a Billboard Music Award for Top Male Artist in 2022. He has also been a recipient of the National Youth Achievement Award, presented by President Barack Obama.