Justin Bieber Feels Like He’s ‘Drowning’

Justin Bieber, the 31-year-old Canadian pop sensation, shared a raw and introspective message on his Instagram Stories on Sunday, March 16, admitting that he feels like he’s “drowning” amid suppressed emotions stemming from years of hurt. The post, set to SZA’s “I Hate U,” has reignited concern among fans about his mental well-being, following weeks of speculation over his health and behavior.

“I was always told when I was a kid not to hate,” Bieber wrote in all caps. “But it made me feel like I wasn’t allowed to have it and so I didn’t tell anyone I’ve had it. Which made me feel like I have been drowning feeling unsafe to acknowledge it.” He continued, reflecting on the need to confront these feelings: “I think we can only let hate go by first acknowledging it’s there. How couldn’t we feel hate from all of the hurt we have experienced?”

This follows another candid post on March 13, where Bieber confessed to battling imposter syndrome, feeling “unworthy” and “like a fraud” despite his global success. “People told me my whole life, ‘Wow Justin u deserve that,’ and I personally have always felt sneaky like, damn if they only knew my thoughts,” he shared. The Grammy winner, who welcomed son Jack Blues with wife Hailey Bieber in August 2024, has been increasingly vocal about his struggles since becoming a father.

Fans first raised alarms in February after noting changes in his appearance—hollow-eyed looks and disheveled outfits—prompting drug use rumors, which his team dismissed as “exhausting and pitiful” in a February 23 TMZ statement. Posts on X reflect a mix of sympathy and worry, with some praising his vulnerability and others urging support. As Bieber navigates fame’s toll, his openness underscores a transformative year, balancing parenthood and new music with lingering inner battles.