Back off Bieber! Writer of Controversial Rolling Stone Article Found Justin's Answers 'Sound and Logical'

By Rebecca Macatee Posted Feb 17th 2011 09:00AM

Bieber backlash was bound to happen. No matter how perfectly poised the teenage phenomenon tried to be, the young man underneath that mop-top hair was inevitably going to stick his foot in his mouth. And now, after a controversial Rolling Stone interview, Justin Bieber has found himself at the center of public criticism for his polarizing opinions on some touchy topics.

It's certainly no secret that the 16-year-old superstar has an extensive team surrounding him to keep his image in check. But when the Biebs drove contributing editor Vanessa Grigoriadis around Atlanta in his Range Rover, the impulsive teen didn't have his handlers reminding him when to stop talking. So when he was asked his opinions on premarital sex, abortion and abortion in the case of rape, he wasn't as PC as we might expect a pop star to be. He even inadvertently threw himself onto the hot seat by comparing the healthcare system in the United States to the one in his native Canada.

"I really don't believe in abortion," the teen idol said. "It's like killing a baby?" When asked if he was still adamantly pro-life in cases of rape, his stance didn't really change. "Um. Well, I think that's really sad, but everything happens for a reason," he said. "I don't know how that would be a reason. I guess I haven't been in that position, so I wouldn't be able to judge that."

This seemingly innocent opinion led to many headlines and jeers at Bieber's expense, ridiculing him for implying something as traumatic as rape "happens for a reason." But Grigoriadis, the interviewer, has a different opinion of what Bieber was trying to convey. "I think he meant that God has a plan," she told PopEater. "Even for the most die-hard Christian, it's hard to justify rape as part of God's plan, and harder to justify rape that leads to pregnancy and abortion. I think he was wrestling with that in his answer, which I found to be solid and logical. I think it is being widely misunderstood. He did not say that rape was part of God's plan."

Another point of contention from the interview is the Canadian crooner's admission that he never plans to become an American citizen. "You guys are evil," he joked. "Canada's the best country in the world." The young man even took a dig at the U.S. healthcare system. "We go to the doctor and we don't need to worry about paying him, but here, your whole life, you're broke because of medical bills."

Let's give the kid a little credit here. Sure, he's traveled the world and is in a higher tax bracket than most of us can even fathom, but how many 16-year-olds are even remotely aware of how insanely expensive healthcare can be? The fact that he's cultured and tuned in to the everyday struggles of those surrounding him (he mentions his bodyguard's premature baby and the costly complications stemming from that) is a refreshing glimpse of a Hollywood star that hasn't completely lost touch with reality and everyday people.

In terms of whether or not Bieber is mature for his age, Grigoriadis agreed with the star's manager that it really just depends on the day. She explained, "Scooter Braun was right when he said to me that Justin sometimes seems like a 16-year-old going on 14 and other times like a 16-year-old going on 32."

Justin and his opinions on premarital sex are understandable -- the kid is, after all, a sex symbol to millions of tween girls -- but were the questions about abortion, rape and even politics appropriate given his age and the fact that these topics have seemingly nothing to do with his music, movie or any of the products he sells?

"I think that anyone who has as much sway in popular culture as Justin should be asked all questions," Grigoriadis said. "I agree that he does not bring up these issues in his work at the moment, but it's possible that he will in the future, as he decides that he wants the public to know more about him."

So now that we've all analyzed the five-and-a-half foot teen and his deep, intellectual musings, let's all quit picking on the Biebs. It's time to go back to wearing 3-D purple glasses, dancing to 'Never Say Never' and reminding ourselves that despite his superstar status, Justin Bieber is a teenage boy, not a politician.

Tags: Justin Bieber

Comments

(69)

Thursday 17 February

By joslynne

Vote down Vote up Report this

Good Post johnny!

By Anya

Then maybe he should not have taken the interview on his own, or at all for that matter. Knowing full well how media works he is fully responsible for how he answered those questions. Since when has media taken it easy on someone because of their age? Never. He put himself out there as a brand, no mater how old he is, he is fully responsible for what he say's and does. He made that choice. It was not made for him.
Anyone that thinks he got screwed, or thinks it should be different need's to grow up, because yes, he got screwed, and yes, it should be different. But it's not, and likely never will be. If you put yourself in the public eye like this, you are well aware of what to expect. Make better choices.

By liz

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Give the kid a break; he is only 16 and such an amazing talent. Some of those questions posed to him or any 16 year old are inappropriate and well beyond his years. Stop trying to knock him down and make him look bad. For what it's worth, he speaks the truth about our health care system, I am both Canadian and American; it is what it is. The US health care system stinks!! Let the kid alone and let him shine; he has talent and has worked hard to get where he is. I am a grandmother and think he is great and so does my grandaughter!!

By Gail

I think these type of questions were really inappropriate to be asking a 16 year old boy. When you ask anyone about abortion, there is never a right answer. Rolling Stone put him into a lose - lose situation with that one. He is way too young to even think about all the aspects of the health care system we have now as opposed to the ridiculous health care plan that our idiot President is forcing on us.

By akqueenie

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree with you Gail....in fact, I think these questions are not appropriate to ask anyone.

By smastro1

The kid got extreemly lucky to be in the right place at the right time.He should be enjoying his fame now because it will not be there forever.He should do what he does best and leave the politics and the rest of the worlds BS to the adults that are sitting back waiting to destroy him if he says the wrong thing.Enjoy and do what you have now , there is pleny of time to be an adult later.

By MAS

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I CERTAINLY HOPE ALL AMERICANS SAW THE ARTICLE THAT WAS IN THE ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA PAPER TODAY FEB. 17, 2011 WHERE BIEBER THINKS ALL AMERICANS ARE EVIL, JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY DOESN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH TAKING THE AMERICANS MONEY KID IT IS TIME TO GROW UP BECAUSE THE RAISE AND FALL IT IS VERY HARD I HOPE ALL AMERICANS READ THIS.
GOD BLESS AMERICAN

Friday 18 February

By Canadian

Okay, you can quit yelling. And do they have spell check in the U.S.

By dragonlady9947

Teehee. Too funny!

By penny

What is the big deal, you ask a question you get an answer and everyone has a right to their own opinion. Why do people think someone in the public eye should not have an opinion. He is a young and honest young man, that is so refreshing and I would rather young people ponder what he has said and think aboout decisions they make than use Miley Cyrus or Lindsay Lohan as examples of youth.

By sally

Give this kid a break! first off he is entitled to his opinion and beliefs but more importantly why should he be asked such questions like his stance on abortion! he's not running for office or in the position to make laws. ask him about music; dating; what movies he likes...age appropriate questions. And I totally agree everything happens for a reason good and bad; there's a plan in place by our heavenly father. He should be patriotic to his country!

By Diva

He's a 16 y/o old boy with an opinion. You can't knock him for that. I think he's very talented. I dont understand why everyone has to insult all these young, talented superstar kids? Envy maybe? I say "Live and let live".

By Alan

Bieber is a clueless 16 year-old kid. Who cares what he thinks?

By Retired Sleeve

Inst HER 15 minutes of fame over? I mean really, this kid has ZERO talent, and he is telling us what is wrong with the HC In the US?
what a moron...

He can play the piano, he plays the guitar and he can carry a tune. So to say he has no talent is just ignorant. Maybe he just isn't your type of performer, but that doesn't mean you should insult him.

By damien

Hey dont blame the guys...Blame the FOS facist hypocritcal women running round here yesterday...

By JoeyO'H

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Justin Bieber will be nothing more than a thing of the past. His music is mindless tweenie chatter. He is obnoxious in every tv interview he does. His opinons are supposed to matter. No they don't. Is he likeable? No way. Most internet chat is negative and people just don't care for him.
Backlash on this very creepy annoying little twat is inevitable.

By hummerpoo2

They sandbagged him! They knew he was Christian so they could be pretty sure he would be against abortion. Rolling Stone knows that the easiest way to loose popularity in today's world is to reject pre-marital sex and to value every life from conception. The waiting rooms of abortion clinics are not lined with victims of rape and incest; they the filled with women who have behaved badly and are trying to cover the evidence.

By Tex

Always good to hear from an ayatollah.

Tuned in to the struggles? Why isnt millionaire giving health coverage to his people....Ya tuned in

Page 2 of 4