Justin Bieber grew up under the glare of the spotlight. By the age of 13, he had been propelled from a Youtube singer to the most popular star in the world, with millions of adoring fans watching his every move and idolising his every word.
But as he grew up in this bizarre new life, the media also latched onto his every mistake, scrutinised his behaviour and chastised him for being a teenager.
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Is it any wonder, then, that under the surface things weren't as rosy as they seemed?
On Monday, in a powerful note on his Instagram page, the musician gave an insight into what was going on behind the surface of his seemingly picture perfect, millionaire party lifestyle - revealing he contemplated suicide after his life got "flipped on its head".
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"It's hard to get out of bed in the morning...when it feels like there's trouble after trouble after trouble," he wrote.
"You start foreseeing the day through lenses of 'dread' and anticipate another bad day. A cycle of feeling disappointment after disappointment. Sometimes it can even get to the point where you don't even want to live anymore. Where you feel like it's never going to change."
In 2014, after his drunk driving arrest, a huge petition was started to deport Justin from the US. His new post reflected on how he suddenly became the "most ridiculed, judged and hated person in the world" following years of being the most loved.
"Have u noticed the statistics of child stars and the outcome of their life?" he poignantly pointed out. "There is an insane pressure and responsibility put on a child who's brain, emotions, frontal loves (decision making) aren't developed yet.
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"No rationality, defiant, rebellious, things all of us have to go through. But when you add the pressure of stardom it does something to you that is quite unexplainable".
Justin confessed that he started doing "pretty heavy drugs" by the time he was 19, "abused [his] relationships" and "became disrespectful to women, and angry".
"I became distant to everyone who loved me, and I was hiding behind," he went on. "A shell of a person that I had become. I felt like I could never turn it around
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"It's taken me years to bounce back from all these terrible decisions, fix broken relationships, and change relationship habits. Luckily god blessed me with extraordinary people who love me for me."
This is by no means the first time the Baby singer has opened up about his mental health since rehabilitating himself in recent years.
"Just wanted to keep you guys updated a little bit hopefully what I'm going through will resonate with you guys," he said back in March. "Been struggling a lot. Just feeling super disconnected and weird.. I always bounce back so I'm not worried, just wanted to reach out and ask for your guys to pray for me. God is faithful and your prayers really work, thanks..."
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But Justin's most recent statement is the most honest and revealing yet, and shows the painful impact fame can have on somebody's life.
It also shows just how different things could have been if he didn't have the support of his wife Hailey Baldwin and his family, as well as a newfound love of religion, which now largely guides his life.
If this isn't a warning to leave child stars to grow up in peace, then we don't know what is...
If you're struggling in any way, you should call Samaritans for free on 116 123 - or write down your thoughts in an email to [email protected].
Topics: Entertainment, Mental Health, Celebrity News