Justin Bieber left the spotlight in 2017, on the knees after canceling the last dates of a gigantic world tour. Back on his feet, the ex-child star had to ensure a resounding return at the start of the year. Successful: his new album, “Changes”, released for Valentine’s Day (you don’t change a lover) is number one on the charts, in the United States as in Switzerland.
The troubled Canadian singer was thought to be after he had to explain to his fans on Instagram how to hoist his unconvincing new single, “Yummy”, to the top of music platforms. But the massive promotion around the comeback of the pop-star, who just celebrated his 26th birthday on March 1, finally brought his record to the top.
Since the end of January, the field has been marked out by the documentary series in ten episodes “Seasons”, which retraces the last three tumultuous years of “Bieb’s” and is only visible on YouTube, whose counters it scares. This is a fair return of things, the Canadian having been spotted on this platform by the singer Usher and the manager Scooter Braun, in 2008.
He was only 14 years old at the time. The young musician, baby’s face, angel voice and plated lock of hair, was propelled to the top of the star system in record time. And quickly suffered all the horrors caused by stardom and excess media exposure. This is what he says in front of the camera in “Seasons”, which follows the classic narrative of a good Hollywood success story in three acts: success, fall, rebirth. In the manner of another ex-darling star child of America, Miley Cyrus, from Disney actress to rowdy teen showing her tongue and buttocks, until coming back subdued, in 2017, reconnecting with daddy’s country and now preferring cowboy boots to MDMA.
Unlike “Never Say Never”, the first documentary film to the glory of Justin Bieber in 2011, the series does not ignore his addictions and his road trips. Quite the contrary. Everything goes there: burnout, lead shot, drugs, withdrawal, his oxygen tank to fight against his anxieties, or his diagnosis of Lyme disease. If he opts for a communication without taboo on his flaws, it is to better sell his redemption. And make sure the message gets across. Despite these three inglorious years, Justin has changed. At least that is what we are led to believe by “Seasons” and his disc with the more evocative title: “Changes”.
Exit the kid who sings for adolescent girls in bloom. Justin became a man. A man who assumes his setbacks, wipes out his problems with the law (note: he was twice worried, in 2014, for speeding and for assaulting a limousine driver) or his tumultuous relationship with the other ex-child star (decidedly), Selena Gomez. And especially a man madly in love with his wife, the model Hailey Baldwin, whom he married last fall and to whom he “owes everything” and dedicates his disc entirely. Redemption through love, therefore. Without forgetting Jesus, of course, the other essential to the life of this young practicing Catholic.
Puppet
By indulging in an open heart, Justin Bieber denounces a sickly celebrity and today claims to be free from his chains, to definitively turn the page of the child star to let hatch the singer of mature R’n’B who speaks of his emotions . However, he never seemed so nubile and fragile as in “Seasons”.
By revealing his intimacy, the documentary describes him explicitly as a puppet manipulated by the star system, but implicitly places him in a position where errors could be repeated. The outrageous staging of his discomfort like the intrusive camera that sticks to his sneakers contradict the whole point of a free and solid man: Justin in the studio, Justin cuddles his sweetheart, Justin eats cereal, Justin plays soccer, Justin brushes his teeth, Justin watches Netflix, Justin goes on vacation.
In summary, Justin is never quiet. After relatives, managers and even security personnel have testified to the incredible kindness of their pet, a “doctor” in a white coat even goes so far as to explain how hard celebrity is, and why a young brain is unable to cash it.
In the midst of all this, the star always seems fragile and troubled. His legs are trembling nervously, he speaks in a low voice, his head in his elbows, his gaze down, telling of the effort it takes him to get out of bed in the morning. Artistically too, the much-touted “change” is an illusion (read box). And new young stars are starting to jostle at the gate. In the lead Billie Eilish, big winner of the last Grammy Awards, who, with her dark pop tinged with electro, is well on the way to bring a new wave of baby stars to maturity and to the already well established universe.
The 18-year-old artist also advertises Justin in “Seasons” by showing her affection. The Canadian returns the favor in a recent interview given to Apple Music, taking advantage of warning her about her young celebrity: “I don’t want her to lose her head and experience what I went through.” For the moment, Justin Bieber is still number one.
Created: 04.03.2020, 21h22
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