TORONTO – It’s only March, but 2013 has been somewhat of an annus horribilis for Canada’s Justin Bieber.
The pop music superstar — born in London, Ont. and raised in nearby Stratford — has been heavily scrutinized for his behaviour since breaking up with actress-singer Selena Gomez late last year.
Bieber should be thrilled with the year so far. His new album Believe Acoustic debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, earning him the distinction of being the only artist with five No. 1 albums before the age of 19.
In January he surpassed Lady Gaga to claim the highest number of Twitter followers (currently 38.5 million). He hosted and performed on the Feb. 9 episode of Saturday Night Live. On Feb. 19, he was nominated for four JUNO Awards, including Fan Choice and Artist of the Year. And he’s still on his Believe tour, which keeps him on the road until August.
Still, Bieber has made headlines this year for all the wrong reasons.
“He’s a good kid,” pop star will.i.am told the U.K.’s Channel 5 News. “When you’re 18, 19, 20 the world can get you off course but he’s gonna be alright. He has a good family, good people around him. Just every once in a while there’s a bump in the road.”
Bieber’s mom has used Twitter to defend her famous son. “Crazy rumors, fake fights & fake ‘sources’. Don’t believe most of what u hear/read,” she tweeted Monday.
Here are some of the notable moments of Bieber’s year so far:
Jan. 1 – Chris Guerra, a 29-year-old paparazzo, was struck and killed by a passing car after snapping pics of Bieber’s Ferrari after it was pulled over by police. The star was not behind the wheel of his luxury sports car at the time of the accident. “Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders, and the photographers themselves,” Bieber said in the statement.
Jan. 4 – Gossip site TMZ posted photos that it claimed show Bieber smoking marijuana in a Newport Beach, California hotel room. The teen later tweets: “everyday growing and learning. trying to be better. u get knocked down, u get up.”
Jan. 11 – According to news reports, Bieber’s former bodyguard Moshe Benabou filed a lawsuit against the singer alleging he was punched in the chest several times during an argument in October 2012. Benabou is seeking unspecified damages for assault and battery as well as more than $420,000 in unpaid wages. Bieber tweeted: “some of the rumors about me are just so ridiculous u gotta laugh. people are creative. kinda over it. im a good guy. that’s all.”
Jan. 23 – In an interview with Billboard, Bieber admitted he is “not in the happiest place that I’ve ever been.” The singer said: “I’m trying to get through what I’m going through.”
Jan. 26 – TMZ reported that Bieber is under investigation for striking a security guard with a projectile from a Nerf gun while playing backstage at Ottawa’s Scotiabank Place on Nov. 23, 2012 with his half-siblings Jaxon, 3, and Jazmyn, 4. Ottawa Police Service spokesman Cst. Marc Soucy would not confirm that Bieber is the subject of an investigation but told Global News: “On the day in question we did respond to an incident that occurred at Scotiabank Place.”
Feb. 10 – The Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles without Bieber, who is bitter about not being nominated. “My whole life I’ve dreamed of winning a Grammy,” he told Billboard. “At this point, the excitement of that has gone down. I have a lot ahead of me, so I’m not worried.”
Feb. 25 – Bieber arrived for the U.K. portion of his tour and immediately draws attention to himself by going shopping while wearing a gas mask.
Feb. 26 – Bieber stepped out in London wearing purple leopard-print harem pants, black sweatshirt with illustrations of rolled-up money, glasses, two watches and a bright yellow spiked cap. “The only excuse for that hat is to block Professor X from reading Bieber’s mind,” quipped Lost creator Damon Lindelof on Twitter. The next day, Bieber responded to the fashion critics by explaining he was dared to wear the colourful ensemble by a friend.
Feb. 28 – Bieber showed off his abs and tattoos when is photographed rushing into his London hotel while wearing nothing but sagging pants that exposed his white briefs. Actress Olivia Wilde tweeted: “Bieber, put your f–king shirt on. (unless you lost all your shirts in a fire in which case my condolences and please purchase a new shirt).” Bieber later tweets “i came out of my show with my shirt off because after performing for 2 hours i might be sweaty.”
March 1 – Bieber headed to London nightclub Cirque du Soir to celebrate his 19th birthday… but left after a few minutes, reportedly because the club refused to admit some of Bieber’s underaged friends. “Worst birthday ever,” the singer tweeted. He later elaborated, blaming “dummies pushing over my fans and being overly aggressive. Btw it wasn’t the worst bday cuz all my friends from back home flew in I was just mad in the moment.”
March 4 – Bieber is booed by fans at O2 Arena in London who waited two hours for him to start his concert. Bieber later claimed he was only 40 minutes late. “There is no excuse for that and I apologize for anyone we upset.”
March 6 – The superstar took to Twitter to vent. “rumors rumors and more rumors. nothing more nothing less. might talk about them 1 day. rt now im just gonna be positive. cant bring me down. fake stories to sell papers i guess are part of the job. but im a good person. i know that. u cant tell me different. we know the truth. i understand it is part of the job to be judged…but judge me on the facts, judge me on the music, and be careful of the judgement u pass. but know this…im only judged by one power, and i serve him.”
March 7 – With only four songs to go, Bieber left the stage complaining of a shortness of breath and reportedly faints backstage. His rep says he was given oxygen and a 20-minute break. The singer later tweets a shirtless picture of himself from a London hospital bed.
March 8 – Bieber lunged at a paparazzo outside his hotel after the photographer accused him of assaulting him. Bieber drops a few F-bombs as he threatens to beat up the pap before being restrained by his bodyguards. He later tweeted: “not gonna let them get the best of me again. Rough week.”
March 11 – Bieber cancelled the second of two concerts in Portugal due to “unforeseen circumstances.” Reports suggest the show was called off due to poor ticket sales, which the singer’s rep denied.
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