Los Angeles, CA — Justin Bieber is refusing to be pushed out of Los Angeles, despite a recent surge in unwanted paparazzi attention and growing concern from fans over his mental well-being.
The 31-year-old global superstar is hitting back at relentless public scrutiny, calling out the invasive culture that’s followed him since his teenage years. In a powerful message shared on Instagram Friday, Bieber made it clear: he’s not backing down.
“Everyone telling me to move from L.A… How can we make a change if we run away from the darkness?” he wrote, pushing back against calls from fans and critics alike urging him to leave the city for his safety.
This defiant message comes in the wake of multiple tense run-ins with paparazzi over the past few weeks. Just earlier this month, Bieber had what fans described as a “meltdown” moment after being swarmed by photographers. And more recently, he took matters into his own hands — quite literally — by filming paparazzi following his car and reporting their reckless behavior directly to police.
In a livestream shared with his millions of Instagram followers, the “Peaches” singer captured the moment he flagged down an officer, complaining about being dangerously followed. “This is getting crazy, man. No joke,” Bieber said, his frustration boiling over. Moments later, police sirens could be heard, prompting the singer to react with relief: “There we go, there we go… some justification for this s***.”
The incident followed a similar episode the day before, when Bieber and wife Hailey were mobbed by photographers while simply trying to get to their SUV. In another moment caught on video, Bieber called out shutterbugs who tracked him to a coffee shop in Palm Springs, accusing them of using him to “make a buck.”
But rather than retreat, Bieber is standing his ground — not just for himself, but for the culture he says he wants to influence from within.
“I’ve been caught up in the transactional nature of Hollywood,” Bieber admitted in his Instagram post. “But I want to be submerged in the culture, learning from everyone. I want to be a proponent and advocate for LOVE AND EQUALITY.”
This new chapter comes at a turning point for the artist. Earlier this month, he publicly severed ties with his long-time brand Drew House and confirmed the end of his professional relationship with former manager Scooter Braun and close friend Ryan Good. In their place, Bieber is launching a new creative venture called SKYLRK, signaling a major shift in his career and vision.
Fans continue to express concern over Bieber’s mental health, with many urging him to prioritize self-care and security. However, the pop icon seems more committed than ever to using his platform to inspire change — not escape pressure.