Justin Bieber’s “rough week” saw the Canadian idol go from ‘tween’ cutie to a would-be bad boy in as many days. But he does have some support. Actor Will Smith and talk show host Piers Morgan are just two of the big names firmly on the side of Team Bieber.
At the end of his turbulent London leg of his “Believe” world tour, the 19-year-old turned to Hollywood superstar Will Smith for some ‘fatherly’ advice on how to deal with the pressure.
Smith was in town to chaperon his 14-year-old son Jaden, one of three support acts.
A day after his final March 8 show at London’s 02 Arena, the “As Long As You Love Me” singer posted a grateful message on his Twitter feed:
“love to big man Will Smith for the great talk yesterday. We know the truth and we must stand tall. Love u man! thanks!”
While some have cited the possibly negative influences of rappers Lil Twist and Lil Za on Bieber — as if he doesn’t have a mind of his own — those behind the scenes seem agreed that Smith is a positive mentor.
Angie Simpson, mother of Australian singer Cody Simpson, 16, another of the support acts, said: ‘Will has been helping Justin out a lot, mentoring him and offering him guidance. He’s someone who is used to this level of scrutiny and it has helped having him around.”
In just seven days, the pop prince dubbed his recent b-day the “worst” after he and his entourage were turned away from a club; ranted on Twitter ; showed up onstage two hours late on the first night of his London 02 Arena run; collapsed backstage and was hospitalized two days later; before a brutal paparazzo face- off outside his hotel on Friday.
But, even after all that, Bieber took to Twitter last Friday to praise his fans and the British capital post his last 02 show, writing, “too many blessings to allow the stress in. the press made things look nuts but really I have enjoyed London. The fans are incredible.”
It’s not just Smith who’s showing support. Piers Morgan, CNN talk show pundit and ex-newspaper editor offered his sage opinion about Bieber’s expletive filled paparazzo encounter, tweeting:
“I’m backing @ justinbieber in paparazzi-gate. That photographer was a revoltingly rude, ignorant, foul-mouthed hooligan.”
Joining Morgan and Smith on the Team Bieber bench are One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson who tweeted after the photog fracas:
“Although I don’t know him personally, I do wish the press would take it easy on @justinbieber,” before adding, “I really do empathize with him, I don’t see anything out of character in comparison to any other teenagers I know.”
Brit rapper Professor Green also added his voice to the mix, declaring he was “team Bieber on this one…,” while singers Jessie J and Ne-Yo recently praised the singer.
Meanwhile, Bieber has not been shy to declare his faith in the “one power” that can judge him, so perhaps his cup of support runneth over.