Hitting Stardom before Puberty?

In early 2008, the world was filled with talented, young artists such as Haley Williams (Paramore), Taylor Swift and Sean Kingston. It seems fitting that Justin Bieber (then, 12) would be discovered later that year.

Justin Bieber was posting videos on Youtube portraying his musical talents at the age of 12 until talent agent Scooter Braun casually came across his video one day and decided to recruit him. Justin Beiber has become an over-night global phenomenon. Since 2009, Bieber has had three singles, a movie chart-topping movie documenting his life and how he became the success he has become today (“Never Say Never”) and has become a very controversial issue in the entertainment business today.

His talent has been greatly overlooked because of his young age. In 2009, after his hit “Baby” was released, he became one of the most talked-about figures in the music industry- but not for the right reasons.

Over the past three years, the popularity of Justin Bieber has presented cultural issues concerning gender, age, religion and sexuality. In the February 2011 issue of Rolling Stone Magazine, Justin released information about his religion (saying that he has a deep relationship with Jesus) and his views on political issues such as premarital sex, homosexuality and abortion. He said that abortion is murder and homosexuality is a choice that does not affect his lifestyle. He has since received criticism for his views and has even been sexually harassed in public, being called “gay.”

Bieber has been also been a victim of cyber harassment for years. There have been countless Facebook groups devoted to mocking him and he has even been seriously harassed, receiving death threats because of his style (and recently, over picture he posted of him kissing Selena Gomez). Last year, Bieber was publicly bullied while trying to enjoy a game of laser tag with some friends. A twelve-year old allegedly called him a derogatory term for “gay” and a Bieber defensively fought back with him. The fight eventually turned physical and the press was alerted that Justin Bieber, teen heartthrob and inspiration for the younger audiences, had harassed a younger kid. What everyone fails to realize is that Justin Bieber is merely defending himself. He is the victim.

            Although Justin Bieber probably has more “haters” than fans, “Beiber fever” is still on the rise today. Bieber has recently released a new fashion line to his fans (targeting a pre-teen girl audience), including nail polish and his perfume entitled “Someday.” This, not surprisingly has also become an interest of Bieber-parodies, such as in “Saturday Night Live” where Miley Cyrus dressed as Bieber and in “The Key of Awesome” a show dedicated to spoofing celebrities on the rise.

            Justin Bieber has tried to make a strong impact on younger audiences by being classy, keeping to his morals and speaking on behalf of his views and opinions. He has contributed to projects such as the “It Gets Better” project, an anti-bullying campaign devoted to a teen who committed suicide because he was a victim of sexual harassment. Despite Justin Bieber’s efforts to make the world a better place, he would probably still be listed on the “low culture” end of Stuver and DeCurtis’ analysis of culture because he has produced more hate then he has followers in the long run. He is mostly famous because he is a target of humor, not because of his true talent.

Justin Bieber was only 12 years old when he was discovered. He was only fourteen when he hit stardom. He has continually been harassed because of his age and style, but the world will someday stop and take note of his good intentions and his pure talent as he grows older. Only then will he become a part of the “high” end of pop culture. This has been the case for many young artists who have reached stardom before reaching puberty.