Justin Bieber’s stated reason for his appearance two hours late at London’s o2 Arena on Monday night was put down to “technical issues.” However, the real reason for the delay was his insistence on playing video games, say sources.
Speaking to Heat magazine, the insiders said the 19-year old also refused to go onstage until he had showered despite the pleas of his management team.
It’s alleged the pop prince told his aides, “‘It’s my gig, I’ll go out when I want.”
The magazine said a second source backed up these claims, saying that Bieber’s “lateness was because he didn’t get out of bed until late and sat in his dressing room playing games — even though his door was being knocked.”
The second source went on to say, “He then threw a strop as he said he wanted a shower first, despite already being late,” before adding that the teen sensation had arrived at the O2 arena at 3 pm “to do some meet and greets” but was suffering after a “heavy night at his hotel.”
Mail Online reports that a member of O2’s staff also claims to have witnessed the Canadian’s alleged diva behavior, saying, “He was arguing with members of his management, his family. It was a really uncomfortable atmosphere.”
The staff member added that the singer’s attitude was akin to, “‘I’m the star and I can do what I want.’”
Despite multiple reports from many of those who attended the Monday concert confirming that Bieber kept the 20,000-strong crowd waiting for two hours, the star wrote on his Twitter account that he was only delayed by 40 minutes.
That version of events has been backed up by a spokesman for the O2 Arena who told Sky News , “He was due on stage at 9.30 pm, which makes him 49 minutes late.”
“He was always due on at 9.30 — possibly the media have got the wrong end of the stick here. There were three support bands first who played on time – Jaden Smith [Will Smith’s son] played at 7.30, followed by Cody Simpson at 8 pm and Carly Rae Jepsen at 8.30 pm.”
For his second night at the 02 Arena, the teen singer hit the stage two minutes early to call time. No doubt event organizers and the star’s team were keen to avoid a repeat of last night’s chaos and the Twitter fury that erupted when parents of Bieber’s young audience vented their anger on the social media site.
Following the star’s early concert start on Monday, event organizers wrote a message on their official Twitter feed , that said:
“We are happy to report that Justin Bieber made it on stage two minutes early this evening. Phew… “
Despite yesterday’s furor, which was fueled by the numerous soundbites from angry concertgoers reported by media outlets and followed by Bieber’s later apology , he appeared to be in high spirits before his performance last night.
Around 40 minutes before he was due to go on, he tweeted: “Night 2 at the O2 we ready! On time and ready. London lets do it!!”
This was followed by a later message in which the pop star simply wrote, “Lovin London.”