Just a few years ago, Justin Bieber was the pop-music sensation adolescent girls around the world were fawning over. His appealing pop songs and fresh-faced good looks made him a teen idol in malls and arenas filled with screaming preteens. But as he entered adulthood, his celebrity brought him considerable tabloid attention as his romantic relationships and occasional skirmishes with the law made the news. In 2015, he returned to the spotlight with the album Purpose, a collection of mature songs that showed he still had the touch to appeal to his core audience.
The Canadian singer grew up in Stratford, Ontario, and raised by his mother. His love for music developed as he began busking on the streets of his hometown and performing at local venues. At 12, he entered and placed second in a talent competition. His mother recorded his performance for friends and family, and the videos soon went viral. A talent agent named Scooter Braun saw one on YouTube and took him under his wing.
Bieber’s rise to fame is a story of the millennial generation: a talented boy discovered in a YouTube video, cannily marketed to an audience so hungry for a wholesome, starry-eyed prince that he is willing to ignore his parents and numb his emotions for the promise of money and glamour. But what does it mean to be a grownup in this hyper-realistic age, where the value systems of the tween and teen market are so alluring?
In 2009, Bieber appeared in the first of a series of popular music videos that showcased his dance moves and crooning. He became an instant hit, attracting millions of fans on social media and earning enormous sums from selling merchandise and tickets to his sold-out shows.
He followed the success of his debut album with several more albums that showcased a softer, more mature sound and featured collaborations with other artists. The 2012 album Believe was a huge success, with the single Boyfriend topping the charts and his 2015 album Purpose earned him more number one hits.
Bieber has also been active in philanthropy, donating to charity and appearing at fundraisers. He has also acted in several movies and has launched his own clothing line, Drew House.
The pop-culture phenomenon that is justin bieber has been the subject of numerous documentaries and television specials. He has won a number of awards and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The pop culture icon has over 150 million followers on Instagram and has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide. He has also been a model in fashion magazines and has been seen in several television commercials. He is a global ambassador for UNICEF and has been involved in humanitarian campaigns in developing countries. He is a member of the board of trustees for the renowned Skoll Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. The organization is committed to helping underserved communities around the world by providing financial support for entrepreneurs who are making a difference.