Justin Bieber’s recent run of bad luck and bad press has brought him some big and not so big names out to support him in during the media storm. Justin seems to be getting backup from the likes of Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, as well as rapper Vanilla Ice. Bieber has taken plenty of flack for his behavior over the last several months, leading some celebrities to go so far as suggest he’s being bullied by the media, according to Extra on Friday, April 5.
“It's hugely important to support artists, young artists specifically. There is a war against that kind of artistry, that kind of creation”, 44 year-old Will Smith told Extra’s Angie Martinez.
His wife Jada Pinkett-Smith, 41, even asked the question in a Facebook essay titled, “Are We Bullying Our Young Artists”? Will wanted to reach out to Bieber, who is friends with his son Jaden, to let him know he has a place to turn to if the going gets too rough.
That is a nice thing, but you gotta ask, is it bullying or some kind of war against his artistry, or is Justin bringing a lot of this press on himself? Let’s review.
For one thing there’s the assaulting his neighbor accusations, his multiple run-ins with the paparazzi, both on foot and in risky car chases. The last profanity-laden one in London where he lunged at a reporter from his van was particularly nasty, and all caught in front of the cameras.
Then there’s those infamous pot smoking pics taken in private, but made public by someone in his circle, and the hint with more pics that maybe he was even swilling sizzurp.
That led to his unprovoked shot at Lindsay Lohan where he seems to brag about how he’s too rich and talented to be compared to her for possible substance abuse problems.
Oh and there’s his less than gracious behavior in the wake of not getting nominated for a Grammy this year by not attending the ceremonies to celebrate fellow artists, and instead trying to steal some audience away with a webcast.
Did we mention his recent London trip where he showed up two hours late to a concert, then denied it, then apologized for it? Justin followed that up with a whiny tirade about how much his 19th birthday sucked. Perhaps he should’ve just kept that to himself?
Rapper Vanilla Ice, aka Robert Van Winkle, knows what it's like to be young and super famous. His “Ice Ice Baby” hit went platinum in 1990 when he was just 23 years-old. Now 45, he says he can relate to what Justin’s going through, according to Fuse TV.
“I've known [Bieber] for a while”, Ice said. “He's a good kid and he's got great people around him. The bad thing is, they're not always going to be around. There's a transition from being a kid to being an adult, and he's never had that.
“Concerts every night, autograph signings, endorsements, and so on. That's not what real life is about. I don't think Justin's listening to too many people these days. He's gotta learn his purpose.
“When the snow globe that's been rattled up his whole life settles, it's 'Where am I as an adult?' and 'Where do I fit in?' It happened to me. I had a weekend that lasted a few years [laughs] and I had to figure out my purpose.
“He'll be alright. He's got some stuff to go through. Hopefully he won't go too far”, Ice finished. Wise stuff, who would have thunk it?
One problem and big difference between Ice’s experience and Justin’s is the proliferation of social media. Bieber was discovered by it. His postings to YouTube of him performing is how he got discovered after all.
He’s of the age that’s pretty much grown up in the social media age, but, you need to know when to shut it off. And you also need a filter.
Sometimes it’s wise to take a moment and think, count to ten maybe, before you post something out to millions, which then gets picked up by media and broadcast to billions.
And Justin had better learn from past examples that as quickly as the public will raise you to the rafters, you’d better keep some humility because otherwise they’re ready to tear you right back down.
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