Justin Bieber: His highs and lows
Going back to the start, when he found fame at 14-years-old, Justin Bieber was an instant heartthrob thanks to his swooshy hair and cute smile. Since then, we've seen a high-profile relationship with Selena Gomez, an orange jumpsuit in prison, a rather raunchy Calvin Klein ad campaign, plus his first ever Grammy Awards in 2016. And who can forget those Bora Bora pics...
Let's take a look at the highs and the lows of Justin Bieber's life of fame...
Writer: @LeanneBayley
Picture Editor: Sandra Waibl
Rex FeaturesBieber's Rise To Fame
Bieber mania started when Justin Bieber’s mother Pattie began uploading videos of her son performing to YouTube when he was just 12 years old. A gazillion hits later, lil Bieber’s vids caught the eye of one very important person...
Verdict: Career high.
Getty ImagesLife Changing Moment
A music manager called Scooter Braun first discovered JB when searching for a different singer on YouTube. Scooter was so impressed with videos of the Biebs, he tracked down the theatre Justin was performing in, found out what school he went to, and then contacted mummy Bieber and said he wanted to work with her son.
Verdict: Career high.
PA PhotosUncle Usher
Having convinced Justin's mother, Scooter Braun arranged for Bieber to meet with R’n’B superstar Usher. Bieber was then signed to RBMG and then he received an Island Records recording contract offered by record executive, L.A. Reid. Bieber’s debut single, One Time was unleashed to millions of unsuspecting teenage girls in 2009.
Verdict: Career high.
PA PhotosA Very Popular Waxwork
JB became so famous that in 2011, he received his own waxwork. Here he is posing with the creation. Pretty good, right?
Fast forward three years, and his waxwork has been removed - in February 2014 Bieber's waxwork "retired" from Madame Tussauds due to "excessive groping". Fans have fondled the statue of their beloved Bieber so passionately, it "no longer does justice either to the star or the attraction”.
Verdict: Career high. But not for the wax version.
Bigpicturesphoto.comYoung Love
Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber started out as friends when Selena was 19 and Justin was 17. Talking to David Letterman, Selena talked about how they both met. She said: “Actually, his manager called my mom, who’s my manager.” Sounds romantic doesn't it?!
Gomez went on to tell Letterman of just how much she valued Bieber’s presence in her life, and just how dear of a friend he was. “He’s been in my life for so long, and it’s just nice to have someone that understands what you’re going through.”
Verdict: Career high.
Rex Features#Jelena
After numerous pictures suggesting the pair were more than just friends, Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez confirmed their relationship by attending the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar Party together. From this moment on, #Jelena was born.
Verdict: Career high.
Getty ImagesPlatinum Selling Albums
His debut album My World 2.0 was certified platinum in the US, while the subsequent two records, Under The Mistletoe and Believe, both debuted at No.1 in the Billboard 200.
Verdict: Career high.
Rex FeaturesScary Stalker
In December 2012, it was revealed that incarcerated killer, Dana Martin (45), who has a tattoo of young Justin inked on his leg, confessed to police that he had hired two men to kill Bieber after the teen pop phenomenon did not return his messages.
Verdict: Career low.
PA PhotosRichie Rich
Bieber has been named by Forbes magazine as one of the top ten most powerful celebrities in the world. He reportedly earned $80 million in 2014 thanks mostly to cash from the tail end of his last world tour.
Verdict: Career high.
Rex FeaturesThe Smell Of Sweet Success
Justin Bieber Someday, has been cited as the biggest celebrity fragrance launch in history. “Let’s be real, the way a girl smells is very important to a guy! I have such a deep connection with my fans, so creating a fragrance that I personally love is another way I can bring them close to my world,” said Biebs. Perfume isn't the only thing Justin has put his name to - he has created a collection of OPI nail polish, and has been the face of acne treatment Proactiv.
Verdict: Career high.
PA PhotosAwards. All The Awards.
JB has received numerous industry awards, including Artist of the Year. With a global fan base - aptly called “Beliebers” - Justin has over 60 million followers on Twitter, and 23 million followers on Instagram.
Verdict: Career high.
WennThat Weird Gas Mask
Justin Bieber strolled around London wearing a...gas mask?! How very strange…
"The gas mask Justin has been wearing around London is a joke between his friends, but people are starting to take it seriously," a source told Us Weekly at the time.
Verdict: Career low.
PA PhotosEarly Retirement
During the promotion of his second movie, Believe Justin revealed that he would be retiring. "After the new album, I'm actually retiring man. I'm retiring," he revealed in a radio station interview.
When the presenter and his radio crew gasped at the news, the singer seemed to backtrack slightly. "I want to grow as an artist and I'm taking a step out, I want my music to mature."
Verdict: Career low.
Brush With The Law
Justin Bieber was arrested in Florida on 23 January 2014 on suspicion of driving under the influence and drag racing in a residential area of Miami Beach. The singer told the police he had taken anti-depressents, drank a beer and was smoking marijuana all day, according to police sources.
Seven months later, JB pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of careless driving and resisting arrest. After reaching a plea deal with prosecutors, Biebs agreed to a 12-hour anger management course as well as a $50,000 charitable contribution and fines.
Verdict: Career low.
PAIbiza Fight Night
It all started when Orlando Bloom took a physical swipe at Justin after the Biebster allegedly made a reference to Miranda Kerr - Orlando's ex-wife. Justin responded by posting a series of irritating Instagrams, including one of Orlando Bloom appearing to cry. Boys, eh?!
Verdict: Career low.
Justin Bieber/InstagramUncle Karl
Justin Bieber posted this image on Instagram along with the caption: "Big things coming with my friend @KarlLagerfeld". Things may be going all wrong in his love life (his on-off girlfriend Selena unfollowed him on Instagram - GASP!), but Justin Bieber's modelling career appears to be going from strength to strength.
Verdict: Career high.
PA PhotosJust Friends
During a romantic trip to Paris with his on/off girlfriend Selena Gomez, Justin was spotted out for lunch with Kendall Jenner at Ferdi in Paris, while Selena went sightseeing with her friends. Reports suggested that Selena wasn't very happy about the relationship and the pair split up in October 2014.
Verdict: Career low.
GettyShowing Off His Muscles
At the Fashion Rocks concert in September 2014, Justin Bieber hit the stage with model Lara Stone to introduce Rita Ora to the stage. Somehow it ended with JB taking off all of his clothes. Just check out those muscles! Not exactly necessary, but it had the Beliebers salivating.
Verdict: Career high.
@Mert Alas and Marcus PiggottNew Face of Calvin Klein
Justin Bieber was revealed as the new face of Calvin Klein underwear. The Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott-shot ads feature Bieber in his CK skivvies, posing both solo and with supermodel Lara Stone. The pics divided opinion at GLAMOUR HQ, but according to WWD, the lifestyle brand gained 3.6 million followers across its social media channels after the pics were unveiled.
Verdict: Career high.
WennNew Blonde 'Do
In December 2014, Justin hit the bottle - the bottle of peroxide that is. It's not known why he wanted to turn to go from brown to blonde, but he swiftly turned it back to his natural colour. Apparently blondes don't have more fun...
Verdict: Career low.
Michael Rozman/Warner Bros.Apologises For Being A Douchebag
We've got to hand it to the Biebs - he knows how to tug at the heart strings. After appearing on Ellen DeGeneres' show - his first TV appearance after his brush with the law, Justin posted a video to his Facebook account apologising to his fans for all of his bad behaviour.
Verdict: Career high.
INFphotoNew Love?
Is Justin dating Hailey Baldwin? There have been loads of pictures of the singer with the gorgeous model, but he says they're just friends.
"People are crazy. I'm super single and this is my good friend u would know otherwise", he captioned a picture on Instagram. On his 21st birthday, Hailey posted a picture to Instagram wishing her mate a happy birthday.
Verdict: Career high.
Getty ImagesBURN
Justin Bieber has said sorry, again, for making the wrong sort of headlines. Speaking at the end of his Comedy Central Roast, a show which makes jokes at the guest's expense, the 21-year-old said he was turning his life around. "I've turned a lot of people off in the last few years," he said. "But I know I can still put out good music and turn everything all around. There was really no preparing me for this life. I was thrown into this at 12 years old."
A whole host of stars; Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Will Ferrell, Shaquille O'Neal and Martha Stewart all made jokes about Justin at the Comedy Roast show. Rapper Snoop Dogg said: "Justin, you're so pretty, when inmates see your mug shot, they swipe right."
Verdict: Career high. For the comedians.
Getty ImagesThe Roast Jokes
Jeff Ross, the “Roastmaster General" had a pop at Justin’s relationship with his famous ex-girlfriend, saying: "Selena Gomez wanted to be here but she's dating men now.
"Is it true you dumped her because she grew a moustache before you? Selena Gomez had sex with [you]... proving Mexicans will do the disgusting jobs Americans just won't do.”
Shaquille O'Neal said: “Last year you were ranked the fifth most hated person of all time. Kim Jong-un didn't even score that low, and he uses your music to fuckin' torture people."
Perhaps the harshest remarks came from comedian Chris D'Elia: "You have it all, except love, friends, good parents and a Grammy." Ouch!
Verdict: Career high. Or low. Time will tell...
Getty ImagesMTV Awards Scoop
Justin Bieber won BIG at the 2015 MTV European Music Awards taking home five awards: Best Male, Best Look, Best Worldwide Act: North America, Biggest Fans and Best Collaboration.
Verdict: Definite career high.
GettyStrops in Oslo
At a concert is Oslo, Justin Bieber stormed off the stage and refused to perform after complaining that fans were not listening to him when he was trying to clean up some spilled water.
A video from the concert posted on the website of Norwegian Daily VG showed the moment Justin stormed off stage, saying “I’m done, I’m not doing the show.”
In true Justin fashion, after calming down he took to Instagram to apologise to his fans saying “Sadly it’s been a rough week for me, long days, no sleep, while having to be ‘on’ as they would say for cameras fans etc,
“In no way did I mean to come across mean, but chose to end the show as the people in the front row would not listen."
He went on: “Hopefully people will understand where I am coming from. I don’t always handle things the right way but I’m human and I’m working on getting better at responding not reacting.”
Verdict: Career low. But points scored for the apology.
Ellen TV ShowPenisgate
In possibly the biggest Bieber news of 2015, full-frontal naked photos of Justin Bieber were leaked online.
The photos were taken while Justin was holidaying in Bora Bora this year with rumoured girlfriend, Jayde Pierce.
When appearing on the Ellen DeGeneres Show in a week-long 'Bieber Special', Ellen questioned Justin on the pictures, saying: “Cause usually we’re all pretty good at spotting paparazzi. They hide in boats and pretend to be fisherman and we’re like, you’re paparazzi. I mean, we’re pretty good at it. How did you not see that there was paparazzi there?” Justin replied: “Well I just didn’t see them. I think I wasn’t really looking out for them either.”
Justin then explained how he first found out the news that the photos had be leaked: “It was pretty much like a couple of days later. Scooter (Braun, Justin’s manager), he was like ‘yo I hate to tell you this, but your penis is on the Internet.’ I was like, ‘what?’ The first thing I saw that the censored one and it had like the black thing over it. And I was like oh my goodness, like I don’t know what this is gonna look like, and then it wasn’t like, as bad as I thought it was gonna be. It wasn’t as terrible.”
Verdict: Career high? Or low? We're really not to sure on this one. Biebs seemed to be quite pleased with the the outcome of pics.
Michael Rozman/Warner BrosWorld Tour of Purpose
On another day of Ellen DeGeneres's 'Bieber Special', Justin announced the world tour for his Purpose album.
Justin announced the news to his fans saying: "I'm actually going on tour!" When Ellen asked when the tour will start, Justin replied "This was the only thing I had to remember, and I don't remember it, you can go to my website. What am I doing? I'm here to promote an album and a tour."
Verdict: Career high. When he can remember the dates.
Getty ImagesNot Afraid To Show His Emotions
Justin Bieber was visibly upset at his show at the Los Angeles' Staples Center in November. The singer prayed for the families of the victims of the Paris terror attacks which took place on 13 November 2015.
In part of his speech he said: "We pray for the families, we pray for restoration and just peace and It must be so tough for them I can't even imagine."
Later in the night, Justin visibly broke down during his performance of I'll Show You and had to leave the stage.
Verdict: It's nice to see that Justin isn't afraid to show his emotions.
GettyHis first Grammy
Ahead of the 2016 Grammys, it was announced that Justin had scored his first ever gramophone award - Best Dance Recording for Where Are You Now with Skrillex and Diplo.
He tweeted: "Beliebers.. We did it! I love you. Now get ready for the show. Not done yet. #GRAMMYs"
Verdict: A real career high for Biebs.
GettyHe was on fire at the BRIT Awards
Justin's 2016 went from strength to strength thanks to album Purpose. He scored a BRIT Award in February for International Male Solo Artist and endeared the crowd as he admitted he was "shaking" while accepting it.
Verdict: Career high. We watched the performance on TV and it was THE BEST.
Rex FeaturesSwallowing His Pride
Bieber has had to swallow his pride and pay a "tiny sum" to settle a lawsuit with a paparazzo who claims he was "kicked and punched" by Justin outside a Southern California shopping center in 2012. Justin agreed to pay the sum to photographer Jose Osmin Hernandez Duran, instead of going to trial.
Verdict: Hmmm, career high or low? The best decision given the circumstances? We think so.
Fist Fight
Uh oh - JB is in trouble again. The young star found himself in a bit of a brawl outside of his hotel in June. The fight was caught in a video which showed Justin having words with a man who is much taller than him, before the two descended into a fist fight.
Onlookers soon jumped in but we're not sure how it ended, with the short snap cutting out shortly after the brawl begins.
It's unclear what started the fight, but sources suggested it could have something to do with the fact that Justin was being asked for pictures and autographs while at the NBA Finals.
Verdict: Ah Biebs, career low.
Rex FeaturesPenisgate Vol. 2
Bieber sent Twitter into meltdown with his penis for the SECOND time in a year when photos emerged of him skinny dipping in Hawaii with rumoured girlfriend Sahara Ray.
The photos show Biebs sans trunks as he takes a dip in a natural pool while holidaying in Hawaii.
Verdict: It's hard to say. JB seemed pretty proud of the whole thing (again)...
Getty ImagesNew Love?
2016 was the year of Justin Bieber's many, many girlfriends. But it seems he might have found a keeper in Lionel Richie's daughter, Sofia...
The hot new couple were first linked when Sofia was spotted leaving Justin's house in the early hours of the morning, and then the pair were photographed on Laguna beach. But in August, the pair went public in Tokyo.
Verdict: Definite high - maybe a new girl in his life will do Biebs some good?
Getty ImagesThe Selena Spat
Justin and ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez got into a Twitter war in August 2016 after Justin warned fans he'd make his Instagram private if trolls didn't stop abusing new GF, Sofia (See previous slide).
Responding to his threat, Selena reportedly said: "If you can't handle the hate then then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol - it should be special between you two only. Don't be mad at your fans. They loved you and supported you before any one ever did".
Biebs then accused Selena for using him for attention, before she retaliated by bring up his cheating, before Justin then linked Selena with Zayn Malik! Confused? Us too.
Verdict: Career low. It all got a bit petty (on both parts).
Getty ImagesV Fest Flop
Justin Bieber performed at V Festival in August 2016, and fans weren't best pleased with the gig.
After admitting to the crowd that he was “a little hungover”, fans were left unimpressed. Bieber was then accused of miming and performing lazily.
Although he insisted he was having "the best night", it was pretty clear he'd rather have been nursing his hangover elsewhere.
Verdict: Career low. Not cool Biebs...
WennDisguise fail
Justin Bieber went out "incognito" in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Well, at least he tried to, but the singer fooled no one. He donned a crazy fake wig, comedy moustache and goatee and sunglasses to try and avoid drawing attention to himself. The plan backlashed and the photos went viral.
Verdict: Career low. Unless he was being sarcastic, then we got to be good sports cause he looks really funny.
Getty ImagesThe Bieber X Weekend feud
Serena got caught in the middle of an ex-boyfried versus new-boyfriend feud. Back in January, when asked about the Weekend's songs on an interview, Justin did not hold back saying: “Hell no, I can’t listen to a Weeknd song, that sht is whack". And it didn't take long for Abel 'The Weekend' Tesfaye to clap back, on his new track Some Way, fans are pretty convinced these lyrics were intended to Biebs, saying: "I think your girl, think your girl, fell in love with me. She say my f** and my tongue game a remedy,' and 'I just took that chick, and I know you feelin' some way / She just want a ni*** like me, you feelin' some way".
Verdict: We can't judge, being jealous of your ex is nothing to be proud of but it is normal.
Justin Bieber/InstagramRelax and unwind
Justin went on vacation with some (good-looking) friends and seemed to have have a blast, sharing lots of stunning shots on Instagram. Last year was a rough one for Justin, he mentioned many times the need maintain a "healthy mindset" working on this field and being constantly exposed. After being left, as he said, "at the point of depression", a vacation with friends seems like the perfect idea to relax and unwind.
Verdict: Career high. Always take care of yourself Biebs.
Justin Bieber/InstagramNew family member
Justin got a dog - correction, Justin got the cutest dog ever. We hope he makes a great company for Bieber. The singer took to his Instagram to share the news, captioning the snap: "My new little fluff ball Todd".
Verdict: "Career" high.
djkhaled/InstagramThe key to success
Major key alert everyone (Dj Khaled fans will get that one). Justin Bieber seems to be collaborating with Dj Khaled on his new album "Grateful". The shot shared on both their Instagram features Chance the Rapper, Lil Wayne and Migo. This is going to be epic!
Verdict: Major career high 🔑.
Justin Bieber/InstagramBiebs is off
2017, Bieber is here for you. The singer is officially back, starting off in February Justin will be performing internationally on his Purpose World Tour. Justin will finish the tour in his home country, Canada, and it is rumoured that after it ends, he will take a long break from music.
Verdict: Career high.
