Justin Bieber In Rome For ‘Zoolander 2’ Amid ‘Where Are U Now’ Video Announcement?
Justin Bieber flew to Rome from LAX Airport on Sunday (April 26), reportedly ahead of the singer appearing in the Ben Stiller-directed Zoolander 2, which is currently shooting in the capital.
In addition, in one of two Facebook messages he posted Monday, Justin announced that a music video for “Where Are U Now” — his single with Jack U’s Diplo and Skrillex — is now on the way.
Italy’s Cineblog and Spetteguless entertainment websites claim sources connected to the Zoolander 2 production said Justin is in Rome to film a cameo for the movie.
Both sites insist Justin isn’t filming a video for “Where Are U Now” in Rome. Cineblog even stated that the rumor was a hoax to fool fans.
The outlets claim Justin will film scenes(s) for Zoolander 2 on Wednesday (April 29) in the Barberini area of Rome. This comes after British Formula One champ Lewis Hamilton was spotted on set last week.
Back to Justin’s Facebook posts. In the first, he used a line from the original Zoolander. He teased, “Working on something big right now in Europe. To learn more follow me in Fahlo. He is so hot right now.”
“So hot right now” was a key phrase in the cult comedy. Together with the Biebs’ arrival in Rome, it’s pretty clear his movie reference is a clue about his reported cameo.
So, does this mean Justin isn’t shooting a music video for “Where Are U Now” in Rome?
Not necessarily. While the Biebs’ second Facebook post is only an announcement that the video is coming, there are plenty of reasons why Rome could be the setting. Alongside the photo of the single’s cover art, he teased, “Did you get it yet? Video coming ?#soon?. Where are U now.”
— Hanne (@kidrauhl_hanne) April 27, 2015
As Justin Bieber fans will know, the singer’s manager, Scooter Braun, recently revealed in a Twitter Q&A that the “WAUN” video would be shot this month. Given that there are now only two days left of April, it’s more than possible Justin is in Rome to work on Zoolander 2 and a visual for the single.
@CitlaliEsquive4 shooting this month
— Scooter Braun (@scooterbraun) April 19, 2015
On Friday, Justin posted a message to his Fahlo page. It read, “Guess What!!!? I’m going to Rome (sic).” Fast forward to a few hours before his Facebook reveals, the 21-year-old teased fans by tweeting “Europe” then adding “Where am I?” and including the title and a link to “Where Are U Now” on iTunes.
Meanwhile, Diplo is touring Europe. According to an Instagram he posted Monday, he and Skrillex played in Amsterdam last night. It’s possible the EDM duo may be meeting up with Justin and his team in Rome (or elsewhere in Europe) to film the video.
After the thrilling, visual spectacle the trio pulled off at last month’s Ultra Music Festival in Miami, fans will expect Jack U to be part of any video for their collaboration.
“Where Are U Now” was officially sent to radio on April 21. Currently, the single occupies the upper four positions on multiple dance-specific charts. It has just broken into the Top 40 of Billboard’s Hot 100 singles chart (No. 40), England’s official Top 40 (No. 32) singles chart, and is at No. 34 on Mediabase’s official pop airplay chart.
Buzz on the single continues on iTunes charts, at radio, and critics’ reviews.
On Monday, Braun revealed in an Instagram post that he was “En route to Europe,” while Justin was snapped arriving in Italy with members of Team Bieber the same day.
For now, it’s all eyes on Rome. With Justin and (hopefully) Jack U possibly filming a video for “Where” on Tuesday, and the singer reportedly joining Stiller and co. on Zoolander 2 on Wednesday, either way — it’s lights, camera, action time.
[Images via AKM-GSI/Rukes/Instagram]
