Justin Bieber can consider Seth Rogen an unbelieber. Encoring his toxic tweet in January when he slammed his fellow Canadian as a “piece of s — ” following the singer’s arrest on suspicion of DUI, the comic actor is back for round two.
During an appearance on a special Wednesday edition of Watch What Happens Live from the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, Rogen alluded to Bieber’s recent headlines — including his deposition for a civil assault lawsuit launched by a photographer, an egging allegation in which charges are reportedly pending – and an assault charge in Toronto which his lawyers say he is innocent of.
“In my opinion, Justin Bieber is a piece of [ditto tweet],” the Neighbors star told host Andy Cohen,
Warming to his theme and perhaps encouraged by the cheers his comments provoke in the studio audience, Rogen added, “He seems like he’s obnoxious and ungrateful and insincere and he puts people’s lives in danger with his horrible, horrible behavior.”
He continued, “Overall he acts like a piece of [same expletive].”
Somewhat ironically — given the heat Bieber receives for his marijuana habit — Rogen went on to reveal the names of those he has smoked pot with in a skit called “Spill the Herbal Tea.” These included, Snoop Dogg, Jonah Hill, Paul Rudd and Sarah Silverman.
Barbara Streisand was also outed as partial to the green, though Rogen said the legendary songstress smoked it with the late, great Peter Sellers and not him.
Despite the fact Bieber is dealing with issues that have prompted him to take the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and could probably do with a break from constant call outs from celebrities, the bashing of Bieber is now routine.
Joining Rogen on that bench is Judge Judy Sheindlin who recently said of Bieber to CBS News ,
“Being a celebrity is a gift. You can either treat it reverently or you can make a fool out of yourself. And he’s doing a very good job of making a fool out of himself.”
Former N.W.A. member now actor, Ice Cube recently told ShortList magazine Bieber was “a young, rock ‘n’ roll rich kid who’s able to do whatever he wants,” adding his view that the singer couldn’t be compared to artists who were rebels with a cause.
“Just because somebody’s a f**k-up, doesn’t mean they’re provocative,” Ice Cube added.
But into the mix of these criticisms come wider, less judgemental perspectives on a young individual who — like the rest of us — makes mistakes but does so in the white-hot glare of a 24/7 news cycle, unlike the rest of us.
We want to know our celebrities, to see a glamorized reflection of ourselves in their image. We raise them up to impossible heights, but expect them to be humble. And when they don’t live up to our expectations we crucify them publically and viciously. Bieber might be a spoiled piece of sh– right now, but this mob mentality against him won’t make him a better person. If anything, it only makes us worse.
Sadie Gennis, Staff editor TV Guide .
“Nobody is squeaky clean and people love a feeding frenzy. Justin Bieber is just 19 years old. He has had so much fame and success and therefore some sort of expectation put on his shoulders that is completely disproportionate to who he is and what he represents and what he should be expected to do.”
Former astronaut Chris Hadfield – the first Canadian to walk in space and also known for his splendid rendition of David Bowie’s “ Space Oddity ” in May 2013 – when he was commander of the International Space Station.
Food for thought, Rogen – and the rest?