It seems like overnight, singer, Justin Bieber, went from a teen who posted covers on YouTube to a global sensation and hit-producing machine.
The singer has certainly enjoyed the luxuries of his music career, and, of course, has the smash hits and a dedicated fan-base who keep coming back for more to show for it.
Although we all know how the story goes when someone gets famous when they’re young – let’s be honest, all that stardom at such a young age is bound to take its toll. But, for Bieber, his career has been rife with controversy, partying, scrutiny from the tabloids, and brushes with the law.
Today, the star had penned a lengthy Instagram post going into detail about his struggles with fame, which have caused his mental health to plummet to rock bottom and seen him turn to hard drugs to cope.
The then-untrained Canadian singer put down his singing roots on YouTube, uploading covers to the popular platform.
Clearly impressed by the teen’s vocal potential, Braun got him signed to RBMG Records in 2008.
And, of course, we all know this song…
Bieber broke into the Billboard Top 10 in early 2010 with his hit single “Baby,” which also featured rapper, Ludacris.
Not only did the single earn him huge recognition musically, but it also cemented him as a teen heartthrob for his young, female fan base.
For example, his 2017 collaboration with Luis Fonsi, “Despacito,” broke the all-time record for the most number of consecutive weeks at the number 1 spot on the Top 100.
Bieber is a living example of that; you may have millions in the bank, but that doesn’t mean life will be plane sailing. And, in his case, his career has been far from plane sailing.
His career has been rife with controversy, offensive behavior, brushes with the law and an all-around “going off the rails” attitude.
Several stars who have earned fame at a young age have gone on to stray from their former selves. Think Miley Cyrus, Amanda Bynes, Macaulay Culkin, and Lindsay Lohan, for example.
It’s no secret that the star went a bit off the rails, and has a string of controversial behavior to show for it.
Remember the time he spat on fans? Well, the incident got him labeled a “pop brat” and saw him gain a hell of a lot of negative press, understandably.
He was first arrested in 2014 at Miami Beach, on suspicion of driving under the influence, resisting arrest without violence, and driving with an expired license.
You’ll probably recognize the infamous mugshot that instantly went viral following the news.
From canceling his world tour and his eyebrow-raising Prince tribute, to allegedly egging his neighbor’s house, he certainly hasn’t fallen short of bad press.
The singer explains that his life in the spotlight left him feeling overwhelmed.
Posting a text image, the “What Do You Mean?” singer wrote: “It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning with the right attitude when you are overwhelmed with your life, your past, job, responsibilities, emotions, family, finances, relationships.”
The singer admits that he would get to the point where he didn’t even want to live anymore.
“A cycle of feeling disappointment after disappointment. Sometimes it can even get to the point where you don’t even want to live anymore.”
He continued: “Where you feel like it’s never going to change… I can fully sympathize with you. I could not change my mindset. I am fortunate to have people in life that continue to encourage me to keep going.”
“You see, I have a lot of money, clothes, cars, accolades, achievements, awards, and I was still unfulfilled.
“Have you noticed the statistics of child stars and the outcome of their life? There’s an insane pressure and responsibility put on a child whose brain, emotions, frontal lobes [decision making] aren’t developed yet,” he explained.
“No rationality, defiant, rebellious, things all of us have to go through. But when you add the pressure of stardom it does something to you that is quite unexplainable.”
He then goes on to reflect on his childhood.
“You see, I didn’t grow up in a stable home, my parents were eighteen separated with no money, still young and rebellious as well.”
Unsurprisingly, after becoming a teen sensation overnight, the effect was detrimental to the star’s mental health.
“As my talent progressed and I became ultra-successful it happened within a strand of two years. My whole world was flipped on its head. I went from a 13-year-old boy from a small town to being praised left and right by the world with millions saying how much they loved me and how great I was.”
He added: “Humility comes with age. You hear these things enough as a young boy and you start actually believing it.”
Bieber explains that becoming famous so young meant that he never learned the art of good decision-making.
“So by the point I was eighteen, with no skills in the real world, with millions of dollars and access to whatever I wanted… This is a very scary concept for anyone.”
He continued: “By 20 I made every bad decision you could have thought of and went from one of the most loved and adored people in the world to the most ridiculed, judged, and hated person in the world!”
He found the ups and downs of performing difficult to cope with and did what many other touring bands do… drugs.
“You notice a lot of touring bands and people end up having a phase of drug abuse and I believe it is due to not being able to manage the huge ups and downs that come with being an entertainer.
“I started doing pretty heavy drugs at 19 and abused all of my relationships. I became resentful, disrespectful to women, and angry.”
He continued: I became distance to everyone who loved me and I was hiding behind a shell of a person that I had become. I felt like I could never turn it around.”