Justin Bieber is probably the last person on Earth you’d feel bad for. This blond-haired, blue-eyed kid made a few YouTube videos singing back in 2007, and soon after, major record labels swooped in. They forced his generic pop songs onto the world, making him a global sensation, and every young girl became obsessed with him. As a result, he earned millions, and his songs were constantly on the radio. It wasn’t hard to hate or simply ignore him back then.

However, in the early 2010s, Bieber started to change. He lashed out in public, assaulted people, and began confirming the public’s suspicions that he was just a snobby rich brat. This isn’t to convince anyone that Justin Bieber is some unproblematic saint, but there’s another perspective to consider, one that might make some of his antics more understandable. He was harassed and assaulted in public on numerous occasions.

Take, for example, when James Corden leaned in close to Bieber during an interview, invading his space, resting a hand on his back, and rubbing his face while saying, “Look at him, what a beautiful face!” Bieber awkwardly played along, but it was clear how uncomfortable he was. Even Katy Perry grabbed a handful of him, apologizing to Selena Gomez, his then-girlfriend, afterward. When Bieber said, “We can do that forever if you want,” some thought he was fine with such behavior. But it wasn’t just women; even David Letterman put his hands on Bieber, trying to shame him for his tattoos during a 2012 interview. Letterman apologized later, but it’s disturbing to see how many people felt entitled to touch him.

Bieber stood his ground when others pushed boundaries. During an interview on “The Talk,” Leah Remini tried to force him into answering inappropriate questions. She asked if he’d rather perform a song naked or drink a blended cup of worms while little kids sat in the audience. Justin firmly shouted “no” multiple times, but Leah kept pressing, trying to get the answer she wanted. This wasn’t the first time. During a radio show, Shannon Murphy, the host, awkwardly asked if Bieber’s mom had given him “the sex talk” yet. Visibly uncomfortable, Justin dodged the question, emphasizing how weird it was to ask a 15-year-old boy something so inappropriate on air.

At times, Bieber didn’t help his case. During another incident, he flirted with Murphy, making inappropriate comments about grabbing her, only for her to go live on air and laugh about how Justin had been touchy-feely. But his youthful flirting and awkward advances were minor compared to how often people felt it was okay to violate his boundaries.

Even grown men were infatuated with Bieber. L.A. Reid, the music executive who signed him, described Justin as “beautiful like a woman.” Reid went on about Bieber’s hair, his face, and his presence, suggesting his looks were a major part of his star power. While Reid likely meant no harm, his words certainly came off as odd.

One of the most shocking moments was at the 40th Annual American Music Awards when Jenny McCarthy physically assaulted Bieber on stage, bragging afterward that she “kind of molested him.” She even tweeted about the incident, making light of it as if it were some quirky joke.

It’s not surprising that Bieber turned to drugs. Like many child stars, he sought escape. While typical for teenagers to experiment, Bieber was doing more—lean, pills, molly, and shrooms—as a way to cope. His behavior became erratic, staining his reputation permanently.

In 2013, photos of Bieber holding what looked like a blunt leaked online. Although no charges were filed, it marked the beginning of his fall from grace. Things took a turn during the European leg of his “Believe” tour when Bieber’s birthday party plans were ruined in London. After his entourage was denied entry to a club due to underage members, he tweeted, “Worst birthday.” Later, reports claimed Bieber threw a tantrum, locked himself in his dressing room, and showed up two hours late for his O2 Arena performance. His bad behavior extended beyond temper tantrums when he lashed out at a photographer outside his London hotel, threatening him in a public outburst caught on camera.

Later that year, Bieber’s controversies continued. He was involved in several altercations with photographers, spitting incidents, and reckless behavior. In one infamous incident, he peed in a cleaning bucket while leaving a nightclub, laughing with his friends. His actions were criticized, but many saw it as just another instance of a troubled teen acting out. By 2014, he was caught in a series of reckless and disturbing actions, including throwing eggs at his neighbor’s house, an event that led to a costly lawsuit.

Things hit rock bottom when videos surfaced of a 15-year-old Bieber making racist jokes and using the N-word. These videos sparked widespread outrage. He apologized, but for many, the damage was done.

Bieber’s reputation took an even harder hit in 2014 when he was arrested for drag racing under the influence in Miami. His drug use escalated to the point where he was spotted buying drugs in dangerous parts of Los Angeles. His addiction was out of control. In later interviews, Bieber admitted to using drugs as an escape, trying to cope with the immense pressure he felt as a global superstar. Despite his fame and fortune, it became clear that he was deeply unhappy and overwhelmed.

In a desperate attempt to turn things around, Bieber released new music, collaborating with Skrillex and other producers to deliver hits like “Where Are Ü Now” and “Sorry.” His album “Purpose” became his most successful work, and for a moment, it seemed like he was back on track. However, the scars from his past were visible. By 2020, in interviews like his one with Zane Lowe, it was evident that Bieber was still struggling. His anxiety, past traumas, and pressure from the industry had taken a toll on his physical and mental health.

Now, at 29, Justin Bieber has slowed down. He’s a husband, a father, and while still prone to some of his old antics, he’s no longer the reckless teen people once knew. For many, he’ll always be seen as the privileged child star who never had to work for his success. Yet, beneath the fame and fortune, Justin Bieber’s story is one of immense pressure, exploitation, and the heavy cost of stardom.