Justin Bieber's Bizarre Behavior Continues
(Photo: Instagram)
Justin Bieber is clearly trying to find his Purpose, but his soul-searching has taken him to some questionable places lately. While the 22-year-old singer is no stranger to colorful behavior (remember that whole monkey-smuggling scandal?), his more recent antics have taken on a new, more somber tone. While it’s pretty much impossible to capture every bizarre Bieber moment, we’ve pared it down to five from the last week alone.
1. The face tattoo (need we say more?)
On Friday, he hit up NYC’s West 4 Tattoo parlor to get some new ink … on his face. “Justin came in last night and decided on a small cross near the corner of his eye,” tattoo artist Jonboy told Us Weekly. “It represents his journey in finding purpose with God.” Bieber wasn’t alone, though. His friend Joe Termini went with him and got a matching tat. Can you say, #twinning?!
(Photo: Instagram)
After completing this tribute to his relationship with God, the singer dropped by Up & Down, where he performed an impromptu concert, performing hits “Sorry” and “What Do You Mean” for delighted clubgoers.
It’s probably worth noting that Bieber previously eschewed the idea of a face tattoo, saying he would consider getting that type of ink only when he’s “really old.” He then qualified that statement, adding, “Not superold, but maybe, like, 40s or 50s or something.“ Apparently, he couldn’t wait that long, after all.
2. Crying on stage
On Saturday, just one day after tattooing his face, Bieber got emotional during a performance of “Purpose” at his concert at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. While singing his hit song, he sat on the ground near the front of the stage, closed his eyes, and began to cry. To his credit, however, he did continue to belt out the lyrics, which are reportedly about his newfound relationship with God. God seems to be a big theme with Bieber these days.
(Photo: Instagram)
3. Pounding the streets of Boston barefoot
Boston is beautiful this time of year, but maybe not so beautiful that one should troll the streets without footwear. Apparently, no one told Bieber that, because the eccentric star was spotted on Monday wandering the streets barefoot. He traveled far and wide, from the Public Garden to a city crosswalk to the swanky Four Seasons. (No word on how the hotel felt about that fashion choice.)
He spent a good amount of time in the garden, sitting on a bench by himself with just his headphones to keep him company. He did also take a few minutes to commune with a local squirrel, though his shoes were back on at that point. He was open to talking with fans during his outings, but he didn’t want anyone recording him, which brings us to…
(Photo: Twitter)
4. Ban on picture-taking
Note to Beliebers everywhere: The star is happy to chat, but no pictures with you will he take. On Tuesday, the star took to Instagram to share a message to his fans. “If you happen to see me out somewhere, know that I’m not gonna take a picture. I’m done taking pictures,” he wrote. “It has gotten to the point that people won’t even say hi to me or recognize me as a human.” He went on to lament, “I feel like a zoo animal, and I wanna be able to keep my sanity.”
The potential backlash of this announcement was not lost on the young singer. “I realize people will be disappointed, but I don’t owe anybody a picture. And people who say, ‘But I bought ur album,’ know you got my album and you got what paid for AN ALBUM! It doesn’t say in fine print whenever you see me you also get a photo.” OK, well, he sort of has a point — but still, a blanket ban seems a bit dramatic.
The following day, when a fan wrote back to the star to say he was a “prick,” Bieber took the time to reply. “If you think setting boundaries is being a douche, I’m the biggest douche around, but I think it’s smart and will be the only way I last. I wanna enjoy life and not be a slave to the world and their demands of what they think I need to do!! I love the fact that I am able to make people happy, but cmon if you truly were in my position you would understand how tiring it is ( boo hoo Justin get over it) I’m going to keep making decisions I feel are fit for my growth and no human being will make me feel bad for it.”
5. Sitting alone in a tree in Boston Public Garden
On Wednesday, Bieber took his connecting with nature up a notch as he returned to Boston’s Public Garden. A mere few hours before his second concert at the TD Garden, he crawled up into a tree, straddled a large branch, and raised his arms to the sky. Maybe he was resting. Maybe he was stretching. Maybe he was talking with God.
We may never know — but somehow, like the Biebs, we will go on.