Pop star Justin Bieber, who has long decried the demands of fame, says he no longer will take photographs with fans.
“If you happen to see me out somewhere know that I’m not going to take a picture,” Bieber, 22, posted on Instagram. “I’m done taking pictures. It has gotten to the point that people won’t even say hi to me or recognize me as a human,” adding, “I feel like a zoo animal, and I wanna be able to keep my sanity. I realize people will be disappointed but I don’t owe anybody a picture. And people who say ‘But I bought ur album’ know that you got my album and you got what you paid for, AN ALBUM! It does not say in fine print whenever you see me you also get a photo.”
Hours later, he posted images of one supportive comment and one negative comment in response to his message. The latter, using a vulgarity, castigated the star and added, “Your fans are the reason you are as successful as you are. . . . I’m sure it’s annoying not being able to live a ‘normal’ life, but ‘normal’ isn’t what you signed up for. Get over it . . .”
Bieber replied, “You are so right,” but noted, “Years ago it was impossible to even take a picture at anytime . . . now everyone has a camera phone and now it’s just a different thing.” He said that “setting boundaries” was necessary and “will be the only way I last. I wanna enjoy life and not be a slave to the world and their demands of what they think I need to do!! I love the fact that I am able to make people happy but cmon if you truly were in my position you would understand how tiring it is (boo hoo Justin get over it) I’m going to keep making decisions I feel are fit for my growth and no human being will make me feel bad for it.”
In November, Bieber told the British music magazine NME, “I just want people to know I’m human. I’m struggling just to get through the days. I think a lot of people are. You get lonely, you know, when you’re on the road. People see the glam and the amazing stuff, but they don’t know the other side. This life can rip you apart.”
Security concerns prompted the company that arranges Bieber’s VIP packages, Bkstg, to modify one of his concert tour’s backstage meet-and-greets on March 25. It was widely misreported that the singer was canceling all fan meet-and-greets. That eventually did occur about a month later, when the remaining VIP tier that had included photos with Bieber was canceled, and refunds offered.
