Here’s a deceptively contrite looking Justin Bieber on the cover of HERO magazine. He couldn’t look more intentionally angelic unless he was wearing an actual halo. Swaggy’s still on his ridiculous redemption tour, where he keeps issuing empty apologies and wondering whether he’s human or not. For several months, Swaggy has been attempting to charm his way back into his fans’ hearts. The problem is that Bieber’s fanbase is rapidly aging. He’s still bringing in cash, but he’s not winning any new fans. Eventually, his demographic will forget he ever existed except as a menace. Bieber’s also working against himself by doing dumb stuff like crashing a prom. Not only that, but he muscled his way into the dance (which endangered the students who were present) just for kicks.
Swaggy doesn’t get it. He feels that continuing to remind us of his apologies will eventually cause us to believe. Some HERO excerpts:
He wants to be taken seriously: “I hope people felt the sincerity in my apologies. There are a lot of things that have happened in the last couple years that I’m not very proud of, and I feel a responsibility to my fans and to the public who believe in me to make it right. I hope everyone believed it–because it was honest.”
It’s hard to be Bieber: “It’s definitely hard having so many people judge you from a distance. Sometimes you just want to explain yourself, but then that’s giving into gossip and it makes things worse. It’s a tough line to walk.”
His new album will be amazing: “The biggest difference is that I’m older. I was 17 when I recorded most of my last album and I’m 21 now. I’ve been through a lot in a public way, which gives me a much different perspective on things. I am working with producers like Kanye [West] and Rick Rubin who have influenced me and the music I listen to in a big way. The creative process this time around is more personal. When I was younger I would take other people’s experiences, now I have my own to draw from and it makes all the difference because it’s a release. It’s amazing because I’m able to really work out anything I am feeling in my music. I’m nervous whenever I put out new work because it’s such a personal journey, but I try to remember music is meant to be enjoyed–so I try to roll with it.”
[From Hero magazine]
I find it amusing that Swaggy went four years without recording a new album. That can be the kiss of death for a pop-star career. If the whole music thing doesn’t work out, maybe Bieber can get into acting. He is currently in Rome to film a Zoolander 2 cameo. But he’s run into a problem. TMZ reports that police have surrounded his hotel. He has an outstanding warrant in Argentina (for a 2013 assault claim), which has an extradition treaty with Italy. So he could be deported to Argentina if his legal team can’t prove that a grace period applies. Wouldn’t that be something if Bieber ended up in jail, finally?
Don’t cry for Swaggy, Argentina.
Photos courtesy of Hedi Slimane/HERO magazine & Fame/Flynet
I do think it would be hard to grow up with all of that adoration and attention, and of course a 17 year old is going to do some dumb things. I forgive him that. But many of the things he has done were just mean, and I don’t know if he was young, or if he’s an unredeemable douche. I don’t buy his apology. I think he thought he would be idolized forever, and he’s starting to panic because he might lose it all. I’m not sure he’s really sorry.
he’s NOT sorry.
This…
“There are a lot of things that have happened in the last couple years that I’m not very proud of”
…shows me that he’s not. “a lot of things that HAPPENED”? he should have said “There are a lot of things I’VE DONE that I’m not very proud of”.
he’s still not taking responsibility, and therefore, he’s not really sorry.
So true. These things didn’t just “happen.”
That’s the crux of it isn’t it? I think a lot of us would be sympathetic towards him because we can imagine how tough it is to be a child star and having the spotlight on you in your formative years. But he’s so obviously not sorry that I don’t know whether to cringe or roll my eyes at how fake his apologies sound.
Agree with GNAT and doofus. I want to believe he can change because he is so young, but his apologies just aren’t ringing true. Does he even HAVE a fan base anymore?
Take him Argentina! Take him!!
Noooo!!! *panics and runs in circles*
Don’t cry for Swaggy Argentina!!!! Lmao!!!
He’s doomed, I think. People hate him more than some dictators. Even his fans are growing tired of him. He should put the money he has to good use and just dissapear.
If he’s really working with Rubin I wouldn’t count him out
I’m actually a little shocked Rubin would work with him. I still don’t think that would keep his fans around. I know of 1 kid who likes him and she’s 8. I think the ones that made him such a mega star so quick have already outgrown him and his ‘talent’ is marginal at best so I can’t see him attracting and new fans.
Once he got arrested my granddaughter no longer listened to him and still doesn’t. She’s 10.
I know. I am scared Rubin will work his magic and there might actually be a decent Bieber song that comes out.
Rick, you are only supposed to use your powers for GOOD!
Gross. Your apology does nothing for the animals you abused/abandoned. Loserrr
Didn’t he just get another dog?
Probably. What a mistake he is
“angelic”?? In that top pic he’s giving me predator vibes.
This. He has date rape face.
That pic w/ the aviator glasses and jacket is giving me serious me Amelia Earhart vibes. Found her!
LOL!
Is he really sorry? To me the better question is, does it really matter? He’s getting older and losing his fanbase; this always happens when your fans are so young. I guess David Cassidy is the original poster child for this? I mean it’s happened before, you know? My point is he should have seen this coming. Ultimately it’s not about his attitude, it’s about his fans growing up and moving on. It doesn’t help things that Beiber basically pissed away the past 4 years, partying and acting like a d*ickhead.
Well, I don’t wanna crucify him for his mistakes, but people are finally treating him as what he really is: a rich, spoiled, barely talented young man. Time’s up, Bieber.
Nick Jonas did a good job reinventing himself and putting out some new good songs, but he also wasn’t acting like a total spoiled douche for the last 4 years.
I am from Canada and he is no ambassador for our country. Lol I click on his stories for a good laugh. He is a spoiled, entitled brat who thought he would be beloved by fans forever. Surprise. Your minutes are up, no one will care about your new album and you will now be fading into obscurity. Bye, bye and please don’t return to Canada.
I LOVE the Caption, Justin Bieber , Angel : Like that is his occupation
He’s not serious, but panicking. He didn’t realize that his elementary school fans would grow older and not everyone would find his bratty antics cool
Swag fades. Douche is forever. Also, you guys can keep him!! We do NOT want him in Argentina!!! Especially after the absolute trainwreck that was his stay here!!! He lays a foot in here, and and at least 40.000 people will line up to eat him alive.
I chose to believe his apologies. How many of us were perfect angels in our teens and early twenties? Did he make some mistakes? Yes. Does he deserve the chance do redeem himself? Yes. Isn’t it possible that he got some perspective, saw how ridiculous he was getting and decided to better himself? I certainly wasn’t my best self at 17 or 21. Here is a very talented young man, truly. He is a gifted musician and I say that as a grown woman not as a star struck tween. I hope that at some point he will put out an album that is less pop that will show more of his skill with instruments. Having faith in my fellow Canadian, but more importantly having faith in a fellow human being.
You have a point, McFin. The problem with Bieber is that he’s not just some normal naughty kid. He has enough money and influence to believe he’s above all the shit he has done, and that by making puppy eyes, people will forgive him and let it go easily.
You’re not wrong, but it’s his “body language” (wish I had a better term) that’s not convincing. Also, his puppy’s look seems too forced. And personally, I think most people who used to be jerks in their teenage years don’t change for much better later.
As a fellow Canadian who is all for second chances, I say the Biebs has already blown through twenty of them. Making nice on Ellen is not contrition. Let us see you do some actual good!
How about going back to the restaurant or hotel where you p*ssed in the mopping bucket! issuing a public apology and handing the staff cash? How about going to kids hospitals (your fan base, right) and spending some time visiting, taking pics, bringing gifts?
And on behalf of all of us who were responsible at 17, 18, and so on, I call BS on his “apology”. My brother started working at 15, loading bags of dirt into cars and was thrilled when he made $2 in tips. He would do this after full days at school where he was an A student, and he coached younger kids soccer on the weekend, for no money, as a volunteer out off love for the game. Meanwhile this little idiot was chasing models, egging doors, driving recklessly and partying with booze and drugs all over Cali. Redemption my fanny….
People are very forgiving of those who genuinely turn a new leaf, recognise their past mistakes, express remorse, make amends and make strong efforts to become a better person. Who wouldn’t applaud that?
He’s done nothing more than make excuses for himself, absolve himself of any responsibility, claim victimhood and sneeringly offer fake apologies on an apology tour set up by his management to try save his career. These apologies don’t come from him, he’s being told to make them and the insincerity reeks from every pore. He doesn’t seem to have any self awareness at all.
Is he always constipated?