Justin Bieber is a pop star, actor, social activist and style icon with an enormous global following. Born and raised in the close-knit community of Stratford, Ontario, Canada, he lived with his single mother, Pattie Mallette, who worked a series of low-paying office jobs to support her son. As a child, Bieber played hockey and soccer and taught himself piano, guitar and trumpet. He entered and won a local talent competition, but his career as a singer took off when his mother began posting YouTube videos of him singing covers of Usher and Chris Brown, which went viral.
Bieber’s popularity skyrocketed as he toured and performed on television, in movies and for millions of adoring fans. In 2010, he signed a recording contract with Def Jam. He has also participated in several charity campaigns, highlighting the human toll of war and in post-Katrina New Orleans and earthquake-torn Haiti, visited hospitalized children and soldiers in active duty and, through his organization, The Purpose Tour, brought attention and aid to impoverished communities in Africa.
The singer racked up numerous chart successes and collaborated with musicians from all genres. His 2015 album, Purpose, was a worldwide hit with both young and old audiences. Its first three singles, “Sorry,” “Love Yourself” and “Despacito” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, and his collaborations with Skrillex and Diplo, Kid Laroi and Daniel Caesar, as well as Dan + Shay, earned him Grammy Award nominations.
He has been a celebrity fixture on television, appearing in various guest roles and hosting shows. He has appeared on magazine covers and is the face of numerous product endorsements, including for a pair of Ralph Lauren jeans and the anti-acne skin care brand Proactiv.
As a teenager, Bieber’s celebrity and affluent lifestyle attracted constant media scrutiny. He was involved in a number of controversial and acrimonious relationships with other celebrities, which, combined with his sometimes reckless behavior, often overshadowed his musical career.
As he grew into a man, Bieber tried to refocus his life on family and religion, and found that these values helped him regain stability. His marriage to Hailey Baldwin and his growing relationship with Jesus Christ seem to have given him a foundation that he can now lean on. This has allowed him to refocus his priorities and focus on putting the music, family, community service and philanthropy at the forefront of his life. And though he still faces constant criticism, there are now many more people cheering for him to succeed.