In just a few years, Justin Bieber went from being an ordinary kid with a gift for music to one of the world’s biggest pop stars. He’s sold out Madison Square Garden, starred in a wildly popular series of movies and scored 23 GRAMMY nominations with two wins. He has racked up billions of Spotify streams and is one of the most beloved celebrities on the planet. He’s also become a global activist who highlights social injustice and helps children in need.
Bieber first captured hearts as a teen heartthrob with infectious pop hits that expertly folded in his R&B influences. He’s expanded his sonic palette to include dance, hip-hop and an acclaimed holiday album. He’s won awards for his acting, been a guest host on several talk shows and appeared in several high-profile romantic relationships (including a brief reunion with ex Selena Gomez). In 2018, he married model Hailey Baldwin in a private ceremony and followed that up with an even bigger public celebration the following year. He’s also contributed vocals to several other musicians’ songs and released a number of well-received albums, including Purpose (2015), Believe (2016) and Changes (2021).
When Bieber first started making waves as an international superstar, his celebrity often overshadowed his music. He was the subject of paternity suits by women several years older than him and had a few run-ins with the law. His image turned more mature with the release of his second album, My World 2.0, which debuted at No. 1 in Canada, the US and Germany in March 2010. The title track’s music video became a hit with millions of YouTube viewers and is the first clip to garner more than 500 million views.
In 2011, Bieber’s story was documented in the documentary Never Say Never. The film takes audiences from Bieber’s childhood in low-income housing in Stratford, Ontario to his wide-eyed realization of fame. The young singer was busking outside a theater in his hometown when Scooter Braun happened to click on a video of him performing at an amateur talent show.
After seeing his performance, Braun reached out to Bieber’s mother and signed him to a management deal. From there, things took off, with Bieber selling out venues across North America and Europe. Bieber’s success was quickly matched by his wealth, which allowed him to purchase a string of luxury homes and exotic automobiles. He also became a major fashion icon and developed his own line of clothing and perfumes.