Justin Bieber recently shared some raw and honest thoughts about his rise to fame in a post on his Instagram story. The pop star opened up about his struggles with feeling unworthy of the success he’s achieved. Reflecting on the praise he’s received over the years, Bieber admitted that, despite being told he deserved his accomplishments, he often felt like a fraud.
He explained that when people complimented him or told him he deserved something, it made him feel deceptive, as if they only knew the true thoughts he had—his judgmental nature and selfishness—he believed they wouldn’t say those things.
Bieber, with over 290 million followers on Instagram, has become the ultimate heartthrob for many in younger generations. He gained massive popularity in the late 2000s with hits like “One Time” and “One Less Lonely Girl,” essentially breaking the internet before that term even existed. His early success thrust him into a unique and unparalleled level of fame.
Since then, Bieber has transitioned from teen heartthrob to a lasting figure in music, with the release of deeply personal albums like Purpose in 2015 and Justice in 2021. His marriage to model Hailey Bieber, with whom he recently had a son, has been a frequent subject of public speculation. However, the couple has consistently expressed their happiness and stability in their relationship.
Bieber shared with his fans that he, too, deals with feelings of imposter syndrome. “I’m sharing all of this to say, if you feel like a fraud, welcome to the club,” he concluded his post. “I often feel unprepared and undeserving most days.” Imposter syndrome, though not an official psychological condition, describes feelings of inadequacy or the belief that one doesn’t truly deserve the success or recognition they’ve earned.
Bieber’s comments align with a history of sharing personal insights on Instagram. The pop star has consistently used the platform to open up about his emotions and vulnerability.
In 2023, Bieber shared with his followers that he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which caused partial paralysis. This health issue led him to cancel a significant number of tour dates for his Justice album.
Recently, some fans have expressed concern about Bieber’s well-being following a series of cryptic posts on his social media.