Justin Bieber SNL, Tina Fey and Saturday Night LiveJustin Bieber and Tina Fey drew an estimated 9.2 million viewers to 'Saturday Night Live' over the weekend -- the second biggest audience for the show this season. (Basketball star Charles Barkley and musical guest Alicia Keys scored the biggest 'SNL' numbers this season with 10.4 million viewers.) PopEater spoke with Bieber and his team about what it took to land the coveted late-night gig.

While the payoff was a sweet one, casting Bieber was "a year in the making," Laura Swanson, EVP Media & Artist Relations for Island Def Jam, tells PopEater. Before the record company had even released Bieber's first single, 'One Time,' Swanson began e-mailing 'SNL' booker Brian Siedlecki to tell him about the rising pop star. In February, Bieber was finally booked as the musical guest -- becoming the youngest performer to grace the 'SNL' stage in the show's history. At 16, Bieber slid into the position, beating out competition that had been in the music business for years (and have numerous albums under their belts).