Justin Bieber Says 'Ego' and 'Insecurities' Made Him Question His Purpose

In the range of just 27 years, Justin Bieber has lived lifetimes. He’s been the childhood star, the teen heartthrob, the rebel without a cause, and most recently, the devout hubby. In an all-encompassing cover profile by GQ that published Tuesday (April 13), Bieber opened up about it all: the significance of forgiveness, growing from his infamous past, and the difficulties he experienced in his first year of marriage.




The singer, who dropped the surprise gospel EP Freedom last week, admitted that, as a young adult growing up in the spotlight, he let his “ego” and “insecurities” shape how he saw himself, his career, and the world around him. Although that outlook took its toll. He felt "numb" while on the tail end of his 2017 Purpose tour — which he canceled with fifteen stops remaining — and shortly right after hit his breaking point. He finally understood he required to prepare his mental health a priority.

“I just lost control of my vision for my career,” he told GQ. “And then you wake up one day and your relationships are fucked up and you’re unhappy so you have all this success in the world, nevertheless you’re just like: ‘Well, what is this worth if I’m still feeling empty inside?’”


While in his healing process, as he dealt with "navigating a lot of emotional terrain," he had two rocks that kept him grounded: religion and his spouse, Hailey Bieber, whom he wedded in 2018. Bieber called their relationship "really tough" in its first year, despite all the support he obtained throughout that time. “There was just lack of trust. There was all these things that you don’t wish to admit to the person that you’re with, because it’s scary,” he said.


Now, in between releasing chart-topping albums of his own, Bieber is focused on using his past for the betterment of others by supporting emerging artists and ensuring they don't make the same mistakes he did. The singer said that settling down and having kids has habitually felt like his "calling" in life and that him and his wife plan to have children "not this second" although eventually. It makes sense then that Bieber would find joy in uplifting others too.


“I don’t hope to let my shame of my past define what I’m able to do right now for people,” he mentioned. “A lot of people let their past weigh them down, and so they never do what they desire to do because they think that they’re not good enough. Although I’m just like: ‘I did a bunch of dumb shit. That’s okay. I’m still obtainable. I’m still obtainable to help. And I’m still worthy of helping.’"