Justin B: The ultimate high

The Bieber Fever is infectious.

Even Manny Pacquiao (photo right) got infected. At his age? OMG!!!

For a while, Pacquiao

sported Bieber’s moptop but he soon came to his senses and, saying it got in the way of his training for his bout with Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, discarded it for his usual Pacman hairdo.

Did Pacman foresee that Bieber would take a quick trip to his barber for a hairdo change (and auction off the shorn part)?

Whatever hairstyle he wears, Justin Bieber is dearly loved and adored by his legions of followers worldwide, aptly called Beliebers.

Justin is the phenomenon of the New Millennium.

According to the cover story of a recent issue of Vanity Fair (the cover of which shows Justin pockmarked with lipsticks), Justin is one of the most Googled people on the planet with more than one billion YouTube views, 6.3 million Twitter followers and 16.5 million friends on Facebook. More, still according to VF: He has sold nine million albums worldwide, has a best-selling book (First Step 2 Forever: My Story), won four American Music Awards (including Artist of the Year), performed for President Obama twice, is one of Barbara Walter’s “Ten Most Fascinating People” of 2010, received two Grammy nominations, and stars in his own 3D movie Never Say Never which opened in the Philippines last Wednesday. (On meeting Pres. Barrack Obama [quoted by People mag]: “He messed up my name, but I give it to him. He’s not [the] age category I sing to. He’s not ‘one less lonely girl’.”)

The number of Beliebers around the world, including the Philippines, far exceeds his estimated $100 million earnings during his first year in the business alone. His latest album, My World 2.0 (a follow-up to his debut album My World), has turned multi-platinum since its release in November last year, with the singles Baby and Somebody to Love No. 1 in 16 countries.

Justin’s mom, Patti Malette, 37, has her own colorful story but that’s beside the point. She told the VF writer that it was while recovering in the hospital that she had a personal encounter with God that led to her becoming a Christian. She believed that she and Justin were put on earth “to bring light and inspiration to the world.” Justin was 10-months old when his parents separated but he continues to have a healthy relationship with his father, Jeremy Bieber, 36. “I always knew that Justin was gifted,” VF quoted Patti Malette as saying. “Even as a one-year-old who was barely standing, I remember him banging on tables, banging in rhythm.”

In the same VF story, Justin told writer Lisa Robinson, “I’m crazy, I’m nuts,” describing how his brain worked. “I’m not normal. I think differently — my mind is always racing. I’m just...nuts. But I think the best ones probably are,” naming, among them, Michael Jackson, Tupac and The Beatles (the original mop-topped singers).

True to his mother’s words, Justin is now on tour, “bringing light and inspiration to the world,” with a stop in the Philippines on May 10 (a Tuesday) for a concert at the SM Mall Of Asia (MOA) Concert Grounds, starting at 8 p.m., produced by SMART with offcial partner TV5 and in cooperation with Music Management International and AEDI productions. Justin is flying in from Australia with his back-up dancers Legacy (composed mostly of Filipinos) and Poreotics, a band also with Filipino members.

During a break, Justin took time out to answer questions e-mailed to him by The STAR, the only Philippine paper he agreed to talk to.

You were discovered via YouTube. Could it have happened some other way?

“Anything is possible, I only put the videos up so my friends and my family could see me, so I feel like this is meant to be.”

I’m sure you know Charice. She was discovered the same way. Any chance for the two of you to be in a project together?

“I know her. She’s incredible. Anything is possible.”

How does it feel to be an overnight sensation?

“I am not an overnight sensation. I have worked really hard to get to where I am. My movie really shows what I went through.” (Barely five years ago, Justin and his mother, already a single parent then, lived in a public housing in Stratford, Ontario, Canada. His mom, a former Web designer who sang with a church choir, worked two jobs to make ends meet.)

Beliebers love Justin dearly whatever his hairstyle is (before, left, top to bottom; and now, right, also top to bottom)

On the possibility of him and Charice (right) doing a project together: ‘I know her, she’s incredible. Anything is possible.’

How has fame and fortune changed you and your life?

“My life has changed but I still feel like a regular kid. I hang out with my friends when I can and do regular stuff. But sometimes, I feel that it’s weird when I go around and thousands of people are there waiting for me. I never let it go to my head. I keep reminding myself, ‘I’m just Justin Bieber,’ a regular guy’.” (In a magazine interview, Justin said that he still loves the same food — Spaghetti Bolognese.)

How do you handle over-excited (female) fans?

“I love all my fans. Some of them get more excited than others. It’s cool.”

Do you still have quality time for yourself?

“Yes, sometimes I do.”

How is your family taking all this?

“My family is loving it and they are very proud and supportive of me.”

How do you cope with your backbreaking schedule?

“I make sure I have at least one day off a week for me.”

Please describe your family, childhood.

“My family has always been very close. I had a great childhood playing hockey. You get a close look at it all in Never Say Never.”

Any role models, artists who have influenced you?

“Boyz II Men, Stevie Wonder and Usher.” (Note: Justin is with Usher’s production company.) “Usher is like a big brother to me.”

Who are your crushes? What kind of girls do you find attractive?

“My crush has always been Beyoncé. I like girls that can make me laugh and that have a great smile.”

What is the good thing about being Justin Bieber?

“The good thing is I get to have fun and see the world.”

(Note: The Philippine STAR is among the supporters of Justin Bieber My World Tour. For ticket inquiries, call SM outlets at 470-2222 or visit www.smtickets.com; or TicketWorld at 891-9999 [www.ticketworld.com.ph]. Ticket prices are VIP P8,000, Gold P5,000, Silver P3,500, [free seating], Bronze P2,000 and General Admission P750, plus applicable service charge.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare.)