Justin bieber has been on the music scene since 2007, when, at age 12, he took second place in a local talent competition in Stratford, Ontario. His mother posted clips of him performing on YouTube and, aided by social media, Bieber went from relative obscurity to worldwide fame within two years.
His first album, My World 2.0, was released in 2008 and earned platinum status. In 2011, he starred in the concert film Never Say Never, which made more than $73 million at the box office. The following year, he began his Believe tour, playing arenas and amphitheatres throughout North America for four months. He followed that with a long run of shows in Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.
While his popularity was rising, controversy was brewing. In January 2014, Bieber was accused of vandalizing a neighbor’s home and pelting cars with eggs, and later admitted to smoking marijuana and taking the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. He was also filmed visiting a museum in Amsterdam that featured the Anne Frank exhibit, causing outrage among some members of the public, and his squeaky clean image tarnished further.
In 2015, he released Purpose, an album that was more mature in sound and tone than previous offerings. Featuring a silky croon nestled against sparse tropical beats and synth flutes, the album depicted a young man on a spiritual quest, as well as a search for a new direction in his career.
After taking a break to focus on his personal life, Bieber returned to the studio in early 2019 with a full-length project called Justice. It was his most collaborative album yet, with many writers and producers lending their talents. One of its most poignant tracks is “Lifetime,” which tells a true story of love and commitment.
Bieber has also invested in several startup technology companies and is a spokesperson for the Pencils of Promise charity, which builds schools in developing countries. He has appeared in public service announcements for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and contributed to the It Gets Better campaign to help prevent bullying of LGBT youth.
The pop star married model Hailey Baldwin in a private ceremony in 2018 and had another wedding celebration a year later. He has publicly spoken out about his mental health struggles, and he is involved with charities to combat child abuse. He has donated money to a number of different causes, including a children’s hospital in his native Canada. He is a global ambassador for UNICEF. He has also supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity that grants wishes to sick children. His net worth is estimated at $1.5 billion. He owns stakes in a number of companies, including social media app Tinychat and stamp company Stamped, as well as the luxury fragrance Someday. He is also a member of the board of directors for Beats Audio.