Justin Bieber’s shocking arrest for drunken driving, resisting arrest without violence, and driving without a valid licence while allegedly drag-racing a yellow Lamborghini in Miami Beach early Thursday and failing a sobriety test at the scene, has reportedly prompted an ultimatum from his manager, Scooter Braun.
According to Access Hollywood Live’s Billy Bush, the man who discovered the then 12-year-old YouTube sensation in 2007 has given a tough love message to Bieber, telling him,
“You’ve gotta go get help, or I’m done. I’m done with you.’”
Late Thursday – seemingly in response to either an offline communication from Justin, fans online, or both, Braun took to Twitter to post a terse statement:
@justinbieber love you and i will act in the manner of someone who truly cares. that is all I have to say. thanks for all those concerned
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) January 24, 2014
After which, Braun posted a timely picture message to his Instagram account, seen below:
(Photo: Braun Instagram)
A further indication of Braun’s state of mind could be seen in a tweet he previously sent to singers Tori Kelly and Ariana Grande, who he also manages. The recently engaged 32-year old wrote: “@ToriKelly @ArianaGrande thanks girls i needed that smile.”
Hours later, just before declaring he was signing off, the 32-year-old music industry maven tweeted a gentler cap on a trying day.
Been a long day. Bottom line is we are defined by how we handle adversity. Be there when it counts. Love fully in good times and bad.
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) January 24, 2014
According to TMZ , despite talk of ultimatums the site claims sources connected to Bieber’s camp have recommended psychotherapy to the star as the next best thing since he allegedly refuses to consider rehab. It’s claimed the team have asked the teen singer to return to Los Angeles and enter therapy – immediately.
Meanwhile, Mail Online claims a source said Bieber’s mother, Pattie Mallette, is “extremely upset” by news of his DUI arrest.
The Nowhere But Up author and inspirational speaker – who gave birth to Justin when she was just 18 – has reportedly not been able to get through to her son in weeks. The source added: “Justin is not listening to his mother and he’s been trying to avoid dealing with her and other people in his camp.”
“People are pushing him to get help but he doesn’t want help, he says he doesn’t need it and it’s very upsetting for Pattie.”
“‘We are at a point where he’s around people who are terrible influences, but ultimately, he’s about to be 20 on March 1 and you have to make your own decisions. He can’t be forced to go to rehab,” the insider told the British newspaper,
Additionally E! News reports the teen singer’s team are “urging him to seek help.” which follows previous reveals by the outlet that the camp is “encouraging” Justin to go to rehab and has been for a while.
“There is massive concern right now. The concern is, We have to figure this out. We have to fix this and do whatever it takes. They think the problem is the people he is hanging out with. He has some issues to work on,” another source reportedly told E! .
Bieber was processed for around 10 hours from the point of his F-bomb laden arrest after police said they caught him drag-racing in a rented Lamborghini at around 60 MPH in a 30 MPH residential Miami street.
The Pine Tree Drive and 26th Street in Miami Beach was closed off by the 19-year-old’s entourage as he allegedly drag-raced against his friend Def Jam R&B singer, Khalil Amir Sharief, who drove a red Ferrari police said. Both were arrested.
Reuters writes, the Canadian star initially resisted arrest and later told police officers he had smoked marijuana, was taking prescription medicine, and had a beer or two earlier. Justin’s blood alcohol level allegedly came up as 0. 014 and 0.011 after two Breathalyzer tests at Miami Beach Police station.
The star was released on $2,500 bond from Miami-Dade County jail’s Turner Guilford Correctional Center on Thursday afternoon, after attending his satellite hearing with his attorney Roy Black.
Wearing a dark hoodie and sunglasses, a pale Bieber climbed on top of a waiting SUV to wave to fans after he was escorted out of the jail by correctional officers in a scene eerily reminiscent of Michael Jackson’s arraignment on child molestation charges in 2004 when he danced on a SUV.
The “ Baby ” singer was followed by new outlets in helicopters and paparazzi in cars as he headed to a residence in Miami but did not jet back to Los Angeles, instead heading to Icon Brickell Hotel in Downtown Miami, E! reports .
Citing law enforcement sources , TMZ alleges Mallette supplies Justin with prescription medicine and that his father, Jeremy – who was spending time with his son in Miami and partied with him in SET nightclub hours before his arrests – allegedly helped block off the road for the drag-race.
It remains to be seen if Bieber’s DUI arrest, Braun’s ultimatum, his camp’s rehab urgings , and the egging-related felony vandalism and assault investigation in which he is a suspect – and resulted in a police raid on January 14 – will, finally, be the tipping point for this once golden star to begin the climb back.
Back in March 2013, Metallica manager, Peter Mensch, commenting on news of a dispute between Bieber and his neighbor, said :
“His manager Scooter Braun is scared s***less. I don’t know what Bieber’s problem is. His career is over in three years anyway.”
If ever there were words to buck, it’s those.
(Photo: Bieber’s mug shot, January 23.)