Justin Bieber speaks out on industry pressures and artist safety
Reflecting on his rise to fame, Justin Bieber is calling for change in how artists are treated.
Justin Bieber has publicly reflected on his journey through fame and called for the music industry to be a safer, more honest and humane environment for artists. Speaking candidly on social media during the festive season, Bieber opened up about feeling shaped and pressured by the industry from a young age, saying it didn’t always protect his emotional well-being as he rose to stardom.
Bieber, now 31, shared that while the industry rewarded his talent, it often left him feeling “used” and molded into something he didn’t fully choose, leaving deep but unseen wounds. He credited his Christian faith with helping him heal and avoid bitterness, emphasising that his identity is no longer defined by industry expectations. “I’m not a product. I’m not what the industry demanded. I’m a son,” he wrote, underscoring his desire for change rather than conflict.
Importantly, Bieber clarified that his goal isn’t to dismantle the music business or seek revenge, but rather to see it reformed so that artists are supported emotionally and treated more humanely. “Because I’m healed, I can forgive, not to excuse injustice, but to make sure it doesn’t keep reproducing itself through me,” he said, advocating for a future in which the pressures and exploitative aspects of the industry are addressed.
This followed a year that saw him return to music with new albums and reflect a growing conversation within the entertainment world about artist well-being, mental health, and the effects of fame. Whether sparked by personal experience or broader concerns for future generations of artists, Bieber’s call for systemic change adds a high-profile voice to ongoing discussions about how the music industry can better protect those at its centre.