Justin Bieber accepted and took on the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge on Saturday. But it wouldn’t be the Biebs if he didn’t bring the chutzpah. The singer nominated President Barack Obama as one of his three candidates, later nominating all Beliebers.
Was that Justin Bieber we just saw taking the Ice Bucket Challenge?
On Saturday, August 16, the 20-year-old became the latest big name to accept the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge . A stack of celebrities and public figures have already taken on the dare, which has to be done within 24 hours of a nomination being declared or donate $100 to fight ALS — the degenerative Lou Gehrig’s disease.
On Aug. 17, The ALS Association announced it had received “$13.3 million in donations compared to $1.7 million during the same time period last year (July 29 to August 17).”
Names that have taken the plunge to date include: Bill Gates , Mark Zuckerberg, Chris Pratt, Robert Downey Jr., Jimmy Fallon, Chloe Grace Moretz, Kerry Washington, Martha Stewart, Oprah Winfrey, Mickey Rourke, Emily Rossum and many more.
Bieber was nominated by his manager Scooter Braun, and posted his challenge video to Instagram.
As is customary in this viral craze, the Canadian also had to nominate three others. Lets just say the Biebs aimed high.
He nominated President Barack Obama , daytime show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres and fellow comic Chris D’Elia.
“I accept, now I nominate @Theellenshow my main man President Barack Obama and @chrisdelia #alsicebucketchallenge,” read the two-time Grammy nominees’s Instagram clip caption .
Despite tabloid churlishness to the contrary, the large saucepan of water Justin threw over his head looked extremely cold — if his resulting quick, shallow breaths were any indication.
( Photo via Instagram: Justin Bieber accepts and takes the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge .)
But, if the notoriously competitive singer reads some Sunday headlines pointing out the lack of ice cubes in his water – somehow, some have ridiculously assumed the water was tepid – he may opt to take the challenge again.
That said, Bieber’s mostly young, female fans likely wouldn’t mind another chance to watch their tattooed, ripped idol get soaking No.2.
As luck would have it. That happened. On Sunday, the singer nominated all his Beliebers to accept the ALS challenge. Which means he has now done it twice , and shirtless.
In short: doubters stand down.
Also in California on Saturday, a few hours earlier before Justin, Selena Gomez received an ice cold dousing.
It’s no coincidence the two did the challenge the same day. This past week, it was reported Bieber and Gomez are back together and were recently spotted at bible study and a movie date in Los Angeles.
On Thursday, Justin posted – then deleted – an Instagram snap of Selena kissing him as he cradled her in his arms.
His caption read: “Right now everything else is a blur.”
( Photo: The couple apparently happy, and kissing on a movie date, Monday, August 11 .)
“She still loves him,” a source previously said of Gomez to E! News . “It is hard for her to get over him because they have so much history. You just can’t drop those feelings. There is too much there.”
Back to the Latina’s Ice Bucket Challenge.
The actress-singer was nominated by bestie Taylor Swift and TV/radio host, Ryan Seacrest.
In turn, the beauty nominated British model/actresses Cara Delevigne and Suki Waterhouse, and her Spring Breakers co-star James Franco.
Swift also took the Ice Bucket challenge alongside actress Jaime King and others who took the dare.
I absolutely accept your challenge @BillGates ! Your move David Beckham @SelenaGomez & @kevin . #ALSIceBucketChallenge https://t.co/K7M49QWNTM
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) August 16, 2014
Along with Wednesday’s bible study, Bieber’s recent social media postings have seen a slew of biblical and inspirational texts uploaded.
Notably, some the same day lawyers formalized a plea deal in a court hearing that ended his seven month Florida DUI case, following his January arrest.
Two days later, the heartthrob reflected in an Instagram post:
Of late, Bieber appears to be a young man looking ahead more positively.
Mail Online reports he has moved into a new 16,000 square foot pad in the Hollywood Hills, which is reportedly kitted out with an 80 ft nightclub, three bars and luxury features.
In addition, Justin’s current music collaborator, Australian teen star, Cody Simpson , recently announced the duo are set to drop new music within the next two weeks. The pair have been posting social media talking up the project, tagged with the hashtag “2guitars.”
Big things coming. #2guitars
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 6, 2014
Meetings at the label today in nyc about @justinbieber and @CodySimpson . Everyone is blown away!! #music . Here we come!!
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) August 5, 2014
hanging around the kitchen island playing my family a bunch of new music. @justinbieber what we’ve created is incredible mate!!
— Cody Simpson (@CodySimpson) August 1, 2014
Bieber clearly has an uphill journey after scandals and the rest. But, he is also still standing after over 15 months of an undeniably toxic , media narrative , ongoing legal cases and past concerning behavior — likely due to emotional, mental and substance-related causes.
Right now, this young wild star’s future looks better than it has for a long time.
( Photo: Studio jamming. Below, Bieber with Braun after their Ice Bucket Challenges. )
[ Images via Instagram/ MTV ].