Justin Bieber’s record label head has admitted the singer needs an intervention and requires immediate help.
In a rare, exposing move, itself an indication of the emergency, Universal Music Group boss, Lucian Grainge, has revealed the 19-year-old is at crisis point.
Grainge says he and Justin’s manager Scooter Braun are deeply worried about the singer, amid news of his DUI arrest last week.
“I’m very concerned about him. I’ve been concerned about him for many months.”
“And Scooter, who I work with very closely, is supposed to be here but is with him at the moment,” Grainge confided at Universal Music Group’s Grammys aftershow party, The Huffington Post reports.
The music industry veteran added: “This has nothing to do with the business or records or releases – this is to do with the young man. He needs help. He needs an intervention.”
“We are going to give all the support as a company to take as much pressure off him so he can look forward. Hopefully, we will all get through to him.”
Possibly answering those asking why there hasn’t been an intervention already, given the scandals and incidents now engulfing Justin, Lucien explained:
“But what people don’t understand, he’s a 19-year-old. You cannot just pick someone up and force them to do something if they are not ready.”
Bieber was arrested in Miami Beach last Thursday, January 23, for a suspected DUI .
Police stopped his rented, yellow Lamborghini and his red Ferrari driving friend and fellow arrestee Khalil Sharieff, just after 4 am on a residential street when police thought the luxury cars were preparing to drag race.
(Photo via Twitter: Braun, Bieber, Usher In Panama)
The Canadian, who allegedly failed a field sobriety test, was later booked for driving under the influence, resisting arrest without violence, and driving with an expired licence.
Justin was released on $2,500 bond, jetting to Panama a day later. Media outlets have since had a field day over his alleged admission to Miami police of taking prescription medication, marijuana, and consuming one beer earlier.
Tabloid reports with the usual suspects mix of casual women, disgruntled ex-employees, and nameless sources, are lining up to allege tales of extraordinary marijuana use, shipments of sizzurp – a codeine mix cough syrup – and prescription drug abuse.
To Grainge , however, his only concern is getting the teenager into intervention now.
“All of us around him need to take all the responsibility, all the pressure off him and give him support so he can address the issues he has – and he does have issues.”
He adds, “And I’d like it to be dealt with.”
Braun, Usher, reportedly Bieber’s mom Pattie Mallette , friends, and model Chantel Jeffries – who rode shotgun in the Lamborghini – are all in Nitro City, Punta Chame, Panama, with the singer. As yet, it’s not known if the summit is a prelude to intervention or the real thing.
On a wider note, addiction is a serious matter and it is to be hoped Bieber will be supported instead of continually bashed while those around him attempt to get him the help he needs.
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(Photo: Instagram: Braun, Bieber, Grainge) .