Justin Bieber (19, Canada), who we all know as one of today’s biggest teen heartthrobs, has quickly propelled himself to a level of stardom that most artists can only dream of.  A few of his claims to fame include fifteen million albums sold worldwide, two blockbuster documentaries and the ability to melt the hearts of girls of all ages with just a flick of his hair.  At the surface, it seems like Biebs (as he is lovingly called by his fans) has is made.   From the outside looking in, all Justin has to do is stay out of trouble and he’ll be all set.  But things are not as simple for Justin.  For starters, by the age of 13 he gained notoriety via his YouTube video portfolio, inked a major deal with R&B veteran Usher Raymond, and became the most discussed human being on the planet just a few singles in.   While the average kid his age was concerned with when lunch period is, or how to ask that beautiful girl for her phone number during homeroom without blushing, Justin had other worries. He had to memorize choreography and song lyrics while maintaining a near-perfect image every time he stepped foot outside his home.  Five years later, Justin Bieber remains a hot topic, but in a different light this time around.   In a matter of a few months, Justin has been slapped with A DUI, involved in a mop bucket incident and got caught with an expired license and even resisted arrest.  These recent happenings have tainted the pop star’s image and has many folks questioning exactly what’s his deal is.   Is it peer pressure? Stress from his on-again/off-again relationship with Selena Gomez? Or is this just the textbook example of a teenager that hasn’t gotten to live a “normal” childhood? Let’s break it down, shall we?

Transforming from a teenage heartthrob to an adult star is an experience that not many can handle. The gift to handle puberty, stardom, and just the natural “coming into your own” stage in front of millions isn’t something everyone is equipped with. Do Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus or Britney Spears ring a bell? All three attempted to make the switch and all have fallen flat on their faces. Those flashing lights and paparazzi can be unbearable, in addition to not being able to experience the things that average adolescents take for granted.   The walks to the pizza shop with your 10th grade girlfriend/boyfriend, the childishly cute movie dates and the ability to go anywhere you want are all things we take for granted, but are things most celebrities that age yearn for. Some probably just want the chance to live a regular life without millions of people texting and tweeting about their every move.

Everyone’s burning question about The Biebs seems to be:  “What exactly went wrong?”  It all happened so quickly.  Many of the fans popularly known as “Beliebers” are now plotting on his demise. Some suggest that Biebs’ upbringing or his father’s antagonizing behavior while partying alongside his child could have played a part. Maybe it was the tumultuous relationship with fellow teen star Selena Gomez that sent him over the edge.  After all, we’ve all had the experience of a first love, the ending of which could be quite detrimental. Or perhaps could it be the dangerous mixture of stardom, immaturity and access to extremely large amounts of money. I personally think it’s the latter.  In 2012 Justin Bieber in was named the third most influential celebrity in the world by Forbes magazine, had a 40 million Twitter followers, and an estimated net worth totaling anywhere between $150 to $200 million dollars.

There’s no justification for all of Bieber’s his actions.  Some can be classified as mistakes while others are just outright disrespectful and inconsiderate.  However, for the most part, they’re just the “growing pains” many child stars experience during the difficult transition into adulthood. Over my years of studying music there’s been one artist who has made the transition flawlessly, ironically also named Justin!  Justin Timberlake adjusted into adulthood and stardom with barely any bad press or apparent issues. Sadly not everyone is blessed with the genes that allow fame to flow from one point of life to the next with ease. For the younger Justin, the first solution would be to slow life down as Timberlake and Usher did at critical points in their careers.  Secondly, he should surround himself with the same family and friends who supported him during his “come up” stages and most importantly continue to make great music. Lastly, appreciating the fans that have provided a means for him to have the millions, stardom and lifestyle he has now come to love and enjoy would surely keep him grounded. Deep down, the same Bieber who won our hearts just a short time ago still exists. The challenge lies in him finding himself, which is the most difficult part of it all. Talents like Justin’s come once in a lifetime and as a fan I’ve enjoyed watching his growth as an artist.  However, just like a lot of other fans out there, I’m also interested to see his growth as a person. Will this be the end of Justin Bieber? Has he exceeded his chances?  Will he regain the fallen Beliebers?

All questions will be answered with time, and it is only my hope that he makes the necessary changes before it’s too late.

 

-Devin Cobbs

Twitter: (@DevCNYC_)