Justin Bieber: Stratford Calling And A Girl Called Kayla

Justin Bieber headlines proclaiming his time at the top is at an end will likely delight the over 241,000 signees to a petition demanding his deportation. But in the superstar’s hometown of Stratford, Ontario, there is only concern for a teenager and a local boy.

Stratford has long taken pride in the awards and recognition showered on Bieber’s talent and charitable efforts.

However, 2013 saw damning criticisms of his behavior both on and off his infamous Believe tour and a catastrophic start to 2014 in the shape of criminal charges.

This month alone, Justin’s Calabasas, California, home was the scene of a intensive police raid, triggered by his neighbor’s allegation that the singer egged his home on January 9.

During the raid live-in pal Xavier “Lil Za” Smith was arrested and later charged with three felonies for drug possession and vandalism.

On January 23, Bieber and singer, Khalil Sharieff were arrested on suspicion of DUI while allegedly drag racing in Miami Beach.

Then came last week’s assault charge in Toronto for allegedly hitting a limousine driver last December, and the release of a toxicology report which revealed Justin’s use of marijuana and the anxiety drug, Xanax at the time of the DUI arrest.

But in Stratford there is no glee, no gloating over these reports. Only worry, the Toronto Star writes.

It’s perhaps best expressed by Krista Moore who runs the town’s Madelyn’s Diner and has known Justin’s family for years.

“He’s a real person to us,” says Moore. “When I see it all, I just think, ‘What have they done to him?.'”

The “It” possibly refers to America, fame, or as Grantland puts it: a clickbait economy built around people pretending Bieber’s behavior is shocking and depraved and supplemented by shabbily obtained photos and videos to up the ante.

The Star notes Moore’s mention of a young girl – Kayla Baker – who Bieber visited a few days after Christmas 2013.

The then 15-year-old was fading fast at the Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto six months after a potentially life-saving lung transplant didn’t work.

Kayla died on New Year’s Day 2014.

Bieber – whose family are friends with Kayla’s – spent over 30 minutes in a low-key visit and asked that photos taken not be published to Facebook.

Kayla’s parents – Susan Tremblett and Kayla’s father, though still grieving – are now ignoring that request.

(Photo: Bieber And Kayla.)

They have gone public with photos of Bieber and Kayla and their recollection of his time with their daughter, to try and show others that there is more to the singer than drop-crotch pants and immature decision-making.

Tremblett told The Waterloo Record Bieber focused on Kayla during the his visit. He asked questions, listened to music, he gave her a download of his movie Believe, and repeatedly told her not to give up and to “keep fighting.”

“It just shows his character,” Tremblett said adding, “He took the time out of his Christmas and didn’t want anything for it.”

While describing this version of Justin as “kind,” “sweet,” and “generous,” Kayla’s mother recognizes the what if’s of his DUI.

“I don’t condone drinking and driving and I don’t condone drugs,” she says, adding, “This one could have cost him more than a drunk driving charge. It could have cost a life.”

But Tremblett also says Bieber has “done a lot of good.”

She hopes people don’t participate in the current, accelerated urge to destroy. “We just hope he gets the proper guidance.”

In Stratford, those sentiments are echoed.

Some have memories of a 12-year-old Justin singing his heart out on the steps of the town’s famous Avon theater, where his “star” was positioned in 2011. Others like Mimi Price, chief executive officer of the Stratford-Perth Family YMCA, remembers a boy who grew up at the facility and returned in 2010 to shoot some scenes for his Never Say Never concert-movie.

Asking people not to forget “he’s still a kid,” Price tells the Toronto Star. “We’re 100 per cent behind him. He’s one of our own, he’s one of our kids and we take care of our own.”

Price spells out the tension Stratford is feeling, “This whole community is worried. It’s worry and anger, it’s a tricky set of emotions we’re feeling because … we want to make sure he’s O.K. And how do we do that?”

Stratford’s Mayor, Dan Mathieson, previously added his support – and advice – to Bieber. For which, the singer thanked him on Twitter and linked an article quoting Mathieson.

Martin Ritsma, the head of Justin’s former high school, Northwestern Secondary, adds his voice to the mix.

“I see young men and women making mistakes every day,” he says,”Obviously, with Justin, because he’s already in the spotlight, it is going to make international news.”

(Photo: Bieber by his “Star” in Statford)

A chilling note – one that understands the tightening death-grip of TMZ, Page Six, Radar Online and other usual suspects – comes from the mother of Krista Moore, the diner owner mentioned earlier.

Of her mother’s thoughts on Bieber, Moore said: “Her big thing is he’s going to die.”

“If someone doesn’t get a hold of him and get him some help, because he’s just on a bad path. No amount of money is worth that,”

Krista has advice of her own. It’s scarcely original. Nicole Leis – who went to school with Bieber – tells CBC News the same thing..

Leis says Justin should come home, leave Los Angeles. Leave the goldfish bowl lifestyle, the influences and the paparazzi.

As for Moore, when asked for her advice to the petite pop prince, Moore’s reply is at once prescient and present.

“Just for him to come home,” she tells the Toronto Star. “I don’t know why every time I say that, I feel like I’m going to cry.”

The paper notes Krista looked away at that point and touched her cheek.

Go home Justin Bieber. Go home.