Digging up the past

After hip hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Comb’s sex trafficking and child abuse scandal broke out, netizens immediately dug up Justin Bieber’s past, because Diddy had supported him during his early years in the entertainment industry when he was only 14-15 years old.

An old video of Diddy and Justin Bieber has resurfaced on social media. Many people have pointed out that in the video, the teenage singer looks uncomfortable standing next to Diddy. On camera, Diddy said: “He’s having 48 hours with Diddy where we’re going to hang out and what we’re doing, I can’t tell you. But it’s every 15-year-old’s dream.” 

Speaking about his role as a mentor to Justin, similar to his previous relationship with Usher, Combs explained: “I was given custody of him. He was signed to Usher and I had legal custody of Usher when he was making his debut album. I don’t have legal custody of him (Bieber) but for the next forty-eight hours, he’s going to be with me and we’re going to go crazy.”

Justin Bieber at age 15 with Diddy. (Photo: Justin Bieber/ Youtube)

Netizens also dug up a 2020 interview the pop prince gave to Zane Lowe for Apple Music. He broke down in tears as he talked about his experiences as a 15-year-old pop star: “It was hard for me being in the music industry and being so young and not knowing where to go. People always say they love me, but they can turn their backs on me in a second. So it was hard because I wanted her to know that she could always count on me.” 

The star said he wanted to protect young singer Billie Eilish, who was just starting her journey at the age of 18. “I don’t want her to go through anything that I went through. I don’t wish that on anyone.”

Hidden cries for help

The “Baby” singer’s old music videos have also become a hot topic on social media. A typical example is the “Yummy” MV released in 2020. At first glance, it looks like it’s just a weird party, but many netizens have pointed out many details that are considered metaphors for Diddy’s wild and crazy “white parties”: the musicians are all children while the guests are much older, rotten cherries, white clothes, etc. The MV ends with a young Justin Bieber on a disc with the title “Yummy” seemingly implying that he has become food for the party guests.

The image of a pillow cake that looks like it’s sticking out its tongue and the metaphorical rotten cherries in the MV “Yummy” (Photo: MV “Yummy”/ Youtube)

The music video for “Lonely,” released in October 2020, also gained attention for its emotional content and imagery depicting Justin Bieber’s loneliness as a famous boy. In the music video, the main character, who looks like Justin when he was a teenager, expressed his loneliness and pain when facing early fame.

The lyrics of “Lonely” reflect the feelings of loneliness and pressure Bieber experienced in his early years, recalling the trauma and abandonment he experienced as a child. When Sean Combs’ case was announced, many began to connect the lyrics of “Lonely” to the allegations against Diddy, suspecting that Bieber may have gone through similar experiences.

In addition to “Yummy” and “Lonely,” Justin Bieber’s music video for “Where Are Ü Now,” featuring Skrillex and Diplo, was also analyzed. Fans slowed down the music video and discovered that Justin Bieber’s private parts were present, as well as unusual phrases like “Help me pls,” or “I was on my knees when nobody else was praying,” all of which seemed to point to the pop prince being sexually assaulted.

Justin Bieber’s cry for help (Photo: MV “Where Are Ü Now”/ Youtube)

Not only the MVs and videos related to the Ditty scandal, many netizens also compiled many moments of the handsome singer being teased excessively, almost harassed by both men and women. The fan community could not help but feel sorry for what the “Baby” singer had to endure after the spotlight, thinking that he had let himself go, neglected himself because he did not want to be noticed as well as to erase the past.

Up to now, Justin Bieber has completely not responded to the accusations about Sean “Diddy” Comb as well as the rumors and analysis about the MV. He is still focusing on his small family, which has just welcomed its first son