I’m not ashamed to admit that in the beginning I was all, “Baby, baby, baby oh,” but as I watch Justin Bieber get older, make new music, and do more interviews, I’m starting to lean more towards, “Baby, baby, baby no.” It’s not proving to be an easy transition as I constantly find myself rooting for the world’s most famous teenager but before any “Beliebers” get their panties in a bunch, let me explain my journey from Justin Bieber enthusiast to Justin Bieber skeptic.
Back in 2009 I was all about the Biebs. His first single “One Time” came on the radio and I couldn’t help but bob along to it; it had a “Call Me Maybe” kind of affect on me. When I found out it was a boy singing, no, I wasn’t surprised. I didn’t agree with any of the criticism and I was bound and determined to argue with the haters until they admitted Justin Bieber was one talented kid. I never called myself a Beliber like the rest of his fans, but I would definitely say I was an advocate. Unfortunately, I find myself shying away from that now.
Three years after the “One Time” release and following the success of “Baby,” a 3D concert movie, a sold out tour including Madison Square Garden and countless music awards, I’m starting to think fame has gone to the famously humble Justin Bieber’s head. After dating a well-known and beautiful Selena Gomez for a year, turning 18, having a couple West Coast Custom cars made, releasing a new number one single, and signing a Canadian singer also with a number one single, Bieber’s ego seems undefeatable to me, and I’m not the only one. A hilarious and eye-opening GQ interview with Bieber is just one of the reasons I feel like other people might be leaning away from Bieber too. Drew Magary for GQ waited quite some time to interview Bieber at his studio and then wasn’t impressed by him at all, saying, “After forty minutes, Bieber’s done. That’s it. I have been told repeatedly what a hard worker he is, but in two nights—Bieber only records at night—I’ve witnessed him work for a grand total of forty minutes. Soon he’s back to pinballing around the studio.” He talks about how Bieber plays pool by himself while Magary asks him questions and how he’s easily distracted, running around the studio instead of giving Magary his attention. To find out the kind of language Bieber uses or to read firsthand the short, standoffish, answers he gave Margary, read the article here.
The GQ interview isn’t the only thing that has startled me in recent times. I wouldn’t be surprised if the rumor flying around about Bieber assaulting a photographer that tried to take his picture in Calabasas where he lives was true. I still like Bieber’s music and I really commend him for his tremendous work with charities, but I can’t help but like the Biebs a little less than I used to. Maybe it’s just a boy becoming a man, or a child star becoming an artist, but I’m reluctant to advocate for the “Never Say Never” singer anymore. At least not until I figure out where he’s going with this new image of his.
Take a look at Bieber’s new image here in the music video for “Boyfriend.”