Fresh off a successful night at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, Top Male Artist winner Justin Bieber has been thinking about the “authenticity” of award shows and how they seem “so hollow.” He wrote a lengthy post on Instagram, which apparently is hospitable to essays like that, explaining his point of view about performing at the shows and winning the awards themselves.
After opening with the disclaimer of “no disrespect to anybody at any of the shows or the people running it,” Bieber stated, “I don’t feel good when I’m there nor after.”
“A lot of people in the audience there to be seem worried about how much camera time they will get or who they can network with,” the 22-year old added. “When I look in the audience I see a bunch of fake smiles so that when the camera hits them they look happy.”
In addition, Bieber feels like “people are rating and grading my performance” as opposed to one of his concerts, when people are there “to strictly have a good time,” which has a kernel of truth if you just look at the show’s closer in Madonna. He also wants the reward for living his “purpose” to be “fulfillment” and would rather be recognized for his “spirit” rather than his career accomplishments.
The Purpose singer has been doing a lot of introspection in recent months. He canceled meet and greets because they left him “mentally and emotionally exhausted” and asked fans to stop requesting pictures when he’s out in public. It all makes perfect sense for someone who’s been in the spotlight since his early teens to become weary of the fame, but it looks like Bieber’s learning to express what he needs to keep his head above water.
(Via Instagram)
