Justin Bieber is setting the record straight, confronting the “gossip” and “lies” circulating about him on social media. For the first time, he’s addressing the mounting concerns about his mental health that have swirled online in recent months.
For years, Bieber’s personal life has been the subject of relentless scrutiny, with every move captured by fan accounts and celebrity gossip outlets. Recently, fans expressed growing worry over his behavior at Coachella, where videos surfaced of him dancing while smoking.
Though Bieber has largely remained silent on the rumors, he took to Instagram on Thursday to speak out.
“They treat me like trash out here, but when I remember that I’m flawed too and that God forgives me, it helps me stay humble,” Bieber, 31, shared. “Because if I’m being honest, I can be mean and hurtful too.”
A representative for the singer has not commented further on the matter.
The pop sensation, who’s been in the public eye since his teenage years, has long been candid about the toll fame has taken on his mental health. Recently, he’s opened up online about dealing with “anger issues” and the pressure of feeling “inauthentic” or “not enough.”
Despite his efforts to be transparent, the online speculation surrounding his personal life has only intensified.
In the last few months, Bieber’s social media posts, especially on Instagram, have fueled more rumors. Fans have analyzed his cryptic updates, leading to questions about his mental health and possible substance struggles. This has been further exacerbated by fan-recorded videos from Coachella, where Bieber appeared relaxed, enjoying a set and cruising around the festival grounds in a golf cart with friends.
Back in February, Bieber’s representative shut down rumors about his well-being, telling TMZ that the persistent speculation was “exhausting and pitiful.” They added that people seem intent on keeping “negative, salacious, harmful narratives” alive despite the truth. In his latest Instagram post, Bieber admitted, “My instinct is to be like, damn, I wouldn’t gossip and spread lies about someone, but there are other things I’ve done that I’m not proud of.”
As Bieber transitioned from an internet sensation to a global pop culture icon, his romantic life has drawn just as much attention. Over the course of his decade-long relationship with his wife, Hailey Bieber, 28, fans have drawn constant comparisons to his ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez, fueling baseless accusations and rumors.
This obsession with the couple’s relationship is rooted in the parasocial connection fans have with celebrities—where they develop one-sided emotional bonds. For some, Bieber’s marriage to Hailey has been questioned, with accusations that his relationship isn’t as genuine as it seems. Their highly publicized on-and-off romance with Selena has shaped many fans’ perceptions, leading to doubts about his current marriage.
Justin and Hailey, who tied the knot in 2018, welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, last year.
In 2020, Hailey shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, revealing how deeply social media negativity affects her. “I hurt very easily when I feel like people don’t see my heart for who I am,” she wrote. “Social media is SUCH a breeding ground for cruelty… I could sit here all day and pretend it doesn’t hurt, but NEWS FLASH: it hurts to be torn apart on the internet. It hurts to be compared every day and have assumptions made about you.”
In his recent Instagram post, Justin appeared to acknowledge the ongoing gossip about his relationship. “Honestly, if I were you, it’d be hard not to be jealous if you saw me and Hailey living it up,” he wrote. “It’s our journey, and I get why some people can’t stand it. I don’t blame them.”
