Justin Bieber Gets Crazy, Sexy, Cool For ‘Interview’ Mag Photo Shoot
Justin Bieber has given a fair few interviews this year for his big 2015 comeback. But his latest; a revealing chat with past roaster Martha Stewart for the August issue of Interview magazine, which features a sassy, shirtless photo shoot shot by Steven Klein and pics of the singer in S&M leather, clown-face, licking a knife, while baring his cupping marks — may well be his wildest and best yet.
Presumably speaking with Stewart via phone, the 21-year-old star reflects on his Comedy Central roast, unloads about his new album, his love of tech investments, luxe cars, and private jets, being addicted to Snapchat, finishing high school with a 4.0 GPA — and, oh, still being single.
Many will likely want to ponder over the interview and epically wild photo shoot. Here are six highlights.
1: Humble beginnings in Stratford, Ontario.
Recalling that he, “grew up in a really rural town, Stratford, Ontario, with 30,000 people,” Bieber told Stewart he found busking on street “really fun.” At one point, he earned enough money to take his mother, Pattie Mallette, to Disney World in Florida.
The singer reveals he “never really dreamed of [a music career]” and “was just playing for fun and uploading videos on YouTube because I wanted to show my family” before Braun tracked him down.
Of longtime manager, Scooter Braun, Bieber quipped, “He kind of stalked me, basically,” adding that Scooter contacted his great aunt, and Stratford school board. He says that is when he “started to think, like, ‘Wow, this could actually be my life. I could actually do this for a living and make music and travel the world.'”
From there, the 13-year-old Biebs and Mallette eventually moved to Atlanta on Braun’s dime and under his guidance. The rest is ongoing history.
2:Early musical inspirations.
Not surprisingly, Bieber says he listened to “a lot of Michael Jackson growing up. A lot of Boyz II Men.”
He also admits he “loved Mariah Carey. Just big vocalists,” before adding that he “always looked up to Michael because he was never afraid to just be himself, [he] never tried to be anything that he wasn’t.”
3: On his highly anticipated new album.
Although it was previously revealed that Rick Rubin and Kanye West are helming Bieber’s new album, Jack U’s Skrillex and Diplo (who collaborated with the Canadian star on their current hit single, “Where Are U Now”) appear to be becoming a bigger part of the project.
Bieber reveals the “new album’s going really well.” The singer said that after a dry period the songs are now coming “bang-bang-bang—you get them all in a row.”
Justin Bieber fans will no doubt be delighted with his declaration, “I’m at a place where I’m really happy and I’m ready to share my music.”
The heartthrob dishes that he features as a drummer on the album, which he describes as “futuristic.” The Biebs elaborates, “Skrillex is on a really new wave, and has found a way to take my vocals, and mix them, and play with them, and pitch it up to make it higher with these cool effects that sound really futuristic. We have a really good chemistry.”
When Martha asked if his new album will be romantic, Bieber said, “It’s just very personal. People will be able to really get in to where my heart is. It’s about my journey in life — stuff that I’ve been through. Maybe I can teach a lesson, certain things that are inspiring.”
Pressed for a release date, the Biebs kept things close to his chest, saying, “I just want it to be perfect, so we’re taking our time with it.”
He explains, “We’ve gone in with a bunch of different people. I’m just trying to get the best sound and have it be consistent and make sense with what I’m going through in my life right now.”
4: Sweet rides and Tech buys.
Never one to be in one location for long, Justin shares that his favourite way to get about is “Probably private jet. That’s the quickest and most comfortable,” also finally confirming that he does not own a jet but “rent[s] jets in my spare time.”
As it happens, the singer can also fly a [small] plane. “I’ve flown before, yeah. When I was going to Coachella, actually, I took a plane out,” he told Stewart, also noting that he found it “pretty scary, but it was fun.”
Bieber’s (currently red) Ferrari, black Audi R8, Range Rover, and Mercedes-Maybach also get a mention. He describes riding in the back of the latter as “the smoothest ride I’ve ever been in.”
Revealing that he keeps his fleet at West Coast Customs, which he also invests in, Justin says he had made a lot of tech investments, but he stops short of actually naming them.
Bieber’s reply to Stewart’s query about what drew him to tech is hilarious. He replied, “Just the fact that there’s such a big return. We’ve got someone who [is] very smart in that world who helps us figure out what’s going to blow up and… I don’t know, I just like tech.”
Shots and its anti-bullying appeal, get a nod. Bieber also said he’s “addicted” to Snapchat and admits he wishes he “was involved with that one in the beginning.”
5: The Biebs loves a grill and tequila.
Asked about his dietary habits, the singer said, “I love grilled salmon, mashed potatoes.” He added, “I’ve been really eating healthy lately, so grilled salmon and a lot of steak and chicken breasts and stuff.”
Details heat up when Justin confesses his tipple is “1942 tequila.” Cooking doesn’t sound like a major priority, when he later adds, “I cook breakfast, and that’s pretty much it.”
6: Still single. Maybe not super single, but still single.
Beliebers. Justin says he has “No girlfriend at the moment, no. I’m single.”
Stewart’s exit line mused that the singer’s his racy shoot will make “every girl in America” want” him before the 73-year-old lifestyle guru told the young buck, “I think you have too many girlfriends to choose from.”
The “Where Are U Now” singer didn’t deny it, agreeing, “I think so, too. I’m a pretty lucky guy.” We can hear the gnashing from here.
To read Justin Bieber’s Interview magazine cover story with Martha Stewart and see more of Steven Klein’s stunning shoot, click the highlight.
[Images via Steven Klein / Interview Magazine]
