Can you belieb it?
One week after Justin Bieber’s animated alter ego caused a stir in Springfield, his slightly less animated real-world self caused a similar ruckus at the Billboard Music Awards. Over the course of the night, Biebs was crowned Top Male Artist, Top Social Artist, and Milestone Artist — beating out heavyweights Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars for the latter prize.
As the singer made his way toward the stage to accept that last award, something funny happened: Beneath the high-pitched shrieks that greet Bieber wherever he goes, there was a low, rumbly, distinct chorus of boos. The heckling continued as Bieber delivered his acceptance speech, swelling when he made an impromptu plea to the audience: “From my heart, I really just want to say, it really should be about the music. It should be about the craft that I’m making. This is not a gimmick, I’m not — I’m an artist, and I should be taken seriously. And all this other bull should not be spoken of.”
