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 Mandalina

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I hope Justin Beiber gets raped.

By smartmolly

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That is a horrible thing to say. Jealousy is like a cancer and you need help.

By Miss Michelle

Holy cow, he's 16. Who asks a 16 year old about abortion and rape? And then patronizes him for the opinions he is entitled to.

Agreed 100%. The reporter, to me, has proven that he is a big jerk. He is a minor, so legally, unless a guardian was present, nothing he says holds water for a reason... He is TOO YOUNG to be put to this type of test. Very dissappointed by Rolling Stone Mag.

Friday 18 February

By cricket

So what would some of you rather he have said? ~Everyone should have sex anytime, anywhere and not worry about getting pregnant because abortion is great?~ Surely not! He said, "you should only have sex with someone you love"...which was left out in this article. He is 16 and the interviewer set him up and should have kept controversial things out of it. Whoever let him go with this piranha alone was crazy. Looks like she's trying to backpeddle now.

By Marcel Bertrand

I was so surprised when I saw on the internet "Justin Bieber" in wrestling photos?? I said to myself; Justin Bieber wrestling? This guy wouldn't be able to wrestle his way out of a wet paper bag. What is it with these guys? Zac Efron wrestling Vince McMahon of the WWE?? and other boy wonders thinking because they can keep a tune, they can be a pro wrestler all of a sudden. I think they need to stay safe and take up walking their dog, sewing or something easy as opposed to doing something they have no idea what's it's all about. Wrestling is not easy whatsoever.

Anyhow, Good luck to Justin should he try his luck in wrestling !

Marcel A Bertrand

Saturday 19 February

By Eric

First of all, I sincerely hope that Justin's Christianity is genuine. We've seen the professions of other entertainers (Timberlake, Cyrus)of Bieber's caliber and then fall off shorty thereafter. I'm proud of him by saying that abortion is like killing a baby! This is absolutely true and the case of rape is hardly a reason to kill the child. That would be murder. Yet, it digress, Bieber held his own for what he could in this interview. I don't read Rolling Stone since it is so liberally stinted, but its good to know a 16 yr. old boy can stand for what he believes in regardless.

Sunday 20 February

By mary ann dolan

These questions should never have been asked to a 16 year old. We all know this interview should have been about his music and not these heavy issues most of us would have difficulty talking about. Shame on Rolling Stone for this. He's a very talented kid who brings smiles to millions of people with his beautiful voice and concerts. Let's all get back to the basics.

Thursday 24 February

By Goodmom42

I agree, that is exactly what he meant regarding rape..we don't always understand God's plan. I am the (adoptive) mother of the child born of a rape, and I can see that God did indeed have a plan for this special little person. I hope that Justin keeps his faith and doesn't bow to the pressure of the "politically correct". I admire him.

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