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Justin Bieber: Three Reasons For His Meteoric Rise To Fame and Why He is So Popular
He makes tween and teenage girls swoon. He makes rock snobs and hipsters scoff. And his squeaky clean image allows parents with daughters who adore him to sleep comfortably at night.
He's currently pop music's reigning teen heartthrob. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Canada's own, Justin Bieber.
At the tender age of 16, Bieber has sold millions of albums, sang at the White House, performed on Saturday Night Live, and reached the top of YouTube's most viewed video list.
He launched his own headlining tour of North America called, "My World Tour," in the summer of 2010. His epic road trip is set to end Dec. 23. That's when Bieber plays Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
The "My World Tour" itinerary has Justin Bieber in Los Angeles on Oct. 25, and Justin Bieber in Houston on Nov. 6.
Even more impressive, on Aug. 31 Bieber is set to take the stage at the "World's Most Famous Arena," Madison Square Garden, in New York City.
How has Justin Drew Bieber of Stratford, Ontario gotten so popular so quickly and at such a young age?
There are three reasons for his meteoric rise to super stardom.
The first reason is luck.
He was accidently discovered by a well-known manager and former record company executive, Scooter Braun. While searching YouTube for another singer, Braun stumbled across a video of Bieber singing. After convincing Bieber's mother that everything would be fine, Braun flew Justin to Atlanta to record some demo songs (JB was just 13 at the time).
A week later Bieber sang for superstar Usher. Liking what he heard, Usher arranged for Bieber to audition for the Island Dej Jam Music Group. The try-out went well and Bieber was signed to a recording contract in October of 2008. His first single came out in July of 2009 and his first album dropped that November. By the time 2010 rolled around Bieber was a household name.
It's interesting to note that both Usher and Bieber were the same age when they signed with a major record label. However, Bieber rocketed to fame while Usher's ascension was a little more temperate.
Bieber's luck also extends to his timing. He emerged when there was a dearth of teen heartthrobs. Now that he's arrived there's really no need for another one, especially when "another one" would look and sound just like him. There's not much diversity in the tastes of 13-year-old girls.
The second reason why it's Bieber's world and we're all just living in it is he's actually talented. I know rock snobs and hipsters won't want to admit it but the kid can sing. If he couldn't sing he wouldn't be wowing fans when he performs in cities like Nashville, San Diego, and Atlantic City.
Bieber is a natural performer and is probably headed for a long and successful music career. That is if his quick immersion into fame doesn't send him to the loony bin.
But from all indications he's surrounded by good people who are wise to the rigors and pitfalls of fame. They should help him navigate the dangerous waters of celebrity. Not only that but he's Canadian. Citizens of the Great White North generally don't lose their sanity they just move to Winnipeg.
The final reason for Bieber's supersized and super-fast stardom is a bit creepy, but I shall endeavor to handle it with decorum and delicateness.
It's no secret, you can tell just by looking at the young lad, that he's a bit effeminate. At the very least he's no Taylor Lautner. Yet, he's adored by tween and teenage girls everywhere. Why? Are tween and teenage girls attracted to other tween and teenage girls?
Not necessarily. Tween and teenage girls are attracted to effeminate-looking boys like Bieber because they are perceived as safe. Girls want a relationship that involves nothing more serious than holding hands. They think that's more likely to happen with someone that looks like themselves (Bieber) than it is with someone that looks more mature.
Girls might find rugged boys cute but they are not ready for the kind of "relationship" they want. In other words, they want someone who is just as innocent as they are.
Record companies know this. They know someone like Bieber is going to appeal to tween and teenage girls while the punk rock kid from New York or the tattooed skater boy from L.A. won't. The label will save those dudes for young women with daddy issues.
A little luck, some talent, and an image that's more symbol than sex—that's what it took for Justin Bieber to become one of the biggest stars in pop music today.