Fans are worried for Justin Bieber’s health as the pop star made his first public appearance in weeks.
The singer – who recently welcomed his first child – was seen on Monday for the first time since his former mentor Sean “Diddy” Combs was indicted on charges of sex trafficking last week. Fans are re-examining the two artists’ relationship after videos resurfaced showing the adult rapper partying with the then-15-year-old.
Justin was sighted on Wednesday attending a church service with wife Hailey Bieber. This marks the couple’s first appearance since their son Jack was born in late August.
However, the photos obtained by The Mirror have sent fans into a flurry of concern for the pop icon, with many commenting on Justin’s exhausted appearance. Fans shared their thoughts on social media, comparing notes and sending good wishes to Justin.
One wrote: “Justin don’t look healthy,” as another added: “He looks like he’s going through it. I don’t see happiness. Praying for him and what he went through.” A third person stated: “Justin looks rough. Maybe being a new parent is hard or that diddy stuff is really getting to him.” A fourth announced: “He doesn’t look healthy and that hurts my heart.”
The concern comes after videos reappeared featuring a teenage Bieber and Sean Diddy Combs, dredging up a slew of unanswered questions.
The 54-year-old rapper was arrested in a New York City hotel on September 16 and later jailed without bail on federal charges of sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs denies the charges, with his lawyer describing the music producer as “an innocent man with nothing to hide.”
Combs is currently being held at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Centre.
It is claimed that Bieber is aware of his long-time collaborator’s legal troubles but is currently prioritising family in the wake of his son’s recent birth.
Sources close to the pop star say he and wife Hailey Bieber have been “in a happy bubble” since Jack was born and “just wants to focus on being a great dad and husband.”
Prior to Combs’ criminal charges, his close relationship with Bieber was evident in their longstanding artistic collaboration. Diddy featured Justin on his most recent album, The Love Album: Off The Grid, appearing on a track called Moments.
Bieber took to Instagram in September 2023 following the album’s release, reminiscing on his professional relationship with Combs.
He said: “I remember going to my brother Diddy’s office to pitch him a song I wrote for him when I was like 14, sadly the song was trash haha.
“And it would be a hard no from him, fast forward to a few years ago Puff asked if I would freestyle something for his upcoming love album. Wild full circle moment, love you @diddy,” he added.
Now, rumours have surfaced after Combs’ arrest, suggesting that Bieber regrets his appearance on the album. Earlier this month, an insider claimed: “Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off. So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him.”
The Daily Mail reported that Bieber is wracked with guilt over the allegations, which explains his silence on the issue. The source also claimed that Justin would not have contributed to Diddy’s recent project if “he had known any of this.”
It was also suggested that Bieber stopped socialising with Combs during the period “when he believes most of this took place.”
Combs was arrested on Monday, September 16, in New York City, facing serious allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Despite several attempts, Combs has been denied bail and will remain detained at the Metropolitan Detention Centre (MDC) in Brooklyn for the time being.
Combs’ defence attorney Marc Agnifilo denied all allegations of misconduct and declared to the media on Tuesday, September 17: “Mr Combs is a fighter, he’s going to fight this to the end. He’s innocent. He came to New York to establish his innocence. He’s not afraid, he’s not afraid of the charges.”
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