Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Justin Bieber

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Justin Bieber.

Justin Bieber is a Canadian singer who gained fame in the late 2000s after being discovered on YouTube. His debut EP, My World (2009), achieved international recognition, establishing him as a teen idol and a prominent figure in contemporary pop music.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

2010: Criticism for youthful appearance

In 2010, Justin Bieber received criticism for looking and sounding younger than his actual age, which contributed to his image as a teen heartthrob.

2011: Androgynous appearance in media

In 2011, Justin Bieber's androgynous appearance, including his cover on LOVE magazine, garnered attention and was noted in the media.

2012: Accusation of reckless driving

Before his first arrest in 2014, Justin Bieber had several run-ins with the law around the world, including being accused of reckless driving in his neighborhood in 2012 and charged in Brazil with vandalism in 2013.

February 9, 2013: Hosting and Musical Guest Appearance on Saturday Night Live

On February 9, 2013, Justin Bieber returned to Saturday Night Live as the host and musical guest. His appearance was criticized by critics and cast members.

Loading Video...

April 2013: Controversial message at Anne Frank House

In April 2013, Justin Bieber was criticized for writing a message in the guestbook at the Anne Frank House that read, "Truly inspiring to be able to come here. Anne was a great girl. Hopefully she would have been a belieber."

August 2013: Leak of Michael Jackson remix and Lil Twist collaboration

In mid-August 2013, a remixed duet version of Michael Jackson's previously unreleased song "Slave to the Rhythm", featuring Bieber, leaked online, leading to criticism. Later, a song titled "Twerk" by rapper Lil Twist, featuring Bieber as well as Miley Cyrus, also leaked.

Loading Video...

November 9, 2013: Ordered to appear in Argentina court

Justin Bieber was ordered to appear in Argentina within 60 days by a Buenos Aires court to give testimony on an alleged assault on a photographer on November 9, 2013.

2013: Bieber comments on cultural influences

In 2013, Justin Bieber acknowledged being influenced by black culture, stating he didn't see it as black or white but as a lifestyle with suaveness and swag.

2013: Controversial events and image change

In 2013, Justin Bieber was involved in several controversial events that drastically affected his clean-cut image, including abandoning a pet monkey in Germany and urinating in a bucket.

January 23, 2014: Arrest in Miami Beach, Florida

On January 23, 2014, Justin Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), driving with an over-six-month-expired licence, and resisting arrest without violence.

March 2014: Rolling Stone cover as "Bad Boy"

In March 2014, Rolling Stone featured Justin Bieber on its cover with the title "Bad Boy", marking a shift in his public image.

June 2014: Emergence of racially insensitive videos

In June 2014, a video emerged of a 15-year-old Justin Bieber telling a joke about black people, which used the word "nigger" multiple times. In the same month, a second video showed a 15-year-old Bieber singing his song "One Less Lonely Girl", but parodying the main lyric as "One less lonely nigger".

Loading Video...

July 9, 2014: Charged with vandalism for egg-throwing incident

On July 9, 2014, Justin Bieber was charged with one misdemeanour count of vandalism in California for throwing eggs at his Calabasas neighbour's home in January 2014.

August 13, 2014: Plea bargain in DUI case

On August 13, 2014, Justin Bieber's January DUI case was settled with a plea bargain; he pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and a lesser charge of driving without due care and attention. He was fined US$500 and sentenced to attend a 12-hour anger management course and a program that teaches the impact of drunken driving on victims.

September 1, 2014: Arrested for assault and dangerous driving

On September 1, 2014, Justin Bieber was arrested and charged with assault and dangerous driving near his hometown of Stratford, Ontario, after a collision between a minivan and Bieber's all-terrain vehicle on August 29.

2014: Pre-arrest legal issues

March 2015: Appearance in Carly Rae Jepsen's music video and Comedy Central Roast

In March 2015, Justin Bieber made an appearance in the music video for Carly Rae Jepsen's single "I Really Like You". Also in March 2015, Bieber was the featured roastee in Comedy Central's annual roast special, and was a contestant on the reality competition series Lip Sync Battle.

Loading Video...

July 2017: Chinese Government Bans Justin Bieber

In July 2017, the Chinese government banned Justin Bieber from performing in China due to concerns about maintaining order and purifying the performance environment, citing his controversial behavior.

2019: Calls Chris Brown the "best entertainer of all time"

In 2019, Justin Bieber referred to Chris Brown as the "best entertainer of all time", publicly expressing his admiration for Brown's talent.

2021: Bieber's Scenes Removed from 'Friends: The Reunion' in China

In 2021, Chinese streaming platforms Youku, iQIYI, and Tencent Video removed Justin Bieber's scenes from 'Friends: The Reunion', where he was wearing Ross Geller's "Spudnik" costume.

Loading Video...