Cathy Caamano and Dara Kaye, 16, New York
Why do you love Justin Bieber so much?
Cathy: He is the best idol anyone can ask for. He gives back to so many people and has a big heart. He is an amazing musician and just so talented. I can go on forever and ever.
Dara: I love him because of his talent, he is an amazing vocalist and writes great music, he’s also really sweet and apologetic and real about everything.
Have you ever met him or seen him perform live? Where and when? How did you feel when you saw him IRL?
Cathy: I met him at Z100 radio station! It was a surprise meet and greet. It was really funny because I didn’t have my voice that day. I got to spend one on one time with him. I even almost kissed him on the lips! He’s so beautiful. I was intimidated at first but he’s so sweet and ahh! I’ve seen him in concert so many times!
Dara: I never met him but I’ve seen him live during the Believe tour at Madison Square Garden and Barclays Center. Seeing him IRL is so surreal and everyone must experience it.
If you got the chance to say one thing to him, what would you say?
Cathy: You make me the happiest girl ever, I love you more than words can describe.
Dara: I want him to know how thankful I am for everything he has done.
What are the benefits of being a Belieber, other than a mutual love of Justin?
Cathy: Hearing his music and meeting new people.
Dara: You get to meet people who become long time friends due to having the same interests, his music brings people together.
Are you friends with other Beliebers? Have you met them in person or do you just chat over the internet?
Cathy: I’ve met a lot of Beliebers over the internet in person! Its so cool seeing them in person!
Dara: I am really good friends with a Belieber I met in middle school, and I also have met people from Twitter in person.
Is he good at interacting with his fans? Has he ever interacted with you over social media?
Cathy: He is the sweetest with his fans! He follows me on Twitter and I have been featured on his Twitter/Instagram fan video.
Dara: Once in awhile he notices lots of fans on Twitter. About a year ago he followed me on Twitter!
What’s your favorite Justin Bieber song?
Cathy: I can’t choose one. There are too many.
Dara: I can’t narrow it down to one! But from Purpose, his new album, my top three favorites are Company, All In It, and Been You.
What do you think of what you’ve heard of his new album Purpose, so far?
Cathy: I LOVE IT! Every song is special and different. It’s a whole new perspective. He’s so honest through his music and lets us into his personal life in every song.
Dara: AMAZING! He never fails to amaze me, his new music outshines everything else in the industry.
Do you think you or other Beliebers are ever in danger of taking your fandom too far?
Cathy: Its dangerous when Beliebers get too crazy when trying to meet him. Some Beliebers mob him or even chase his car.
Dara: Some people probably, but I don’t think I’d ever put myself in danger over a fan base I’m a part of.
Do you think you will love him forever?
Cathy: I love him so much, I can’t see myself NOT loving him. There will always be a special place for him in my heart.
Dara: Most definitely.
@thrustforbieber
@justinsthrill
Starr Smith, 20, New York
How long have you been a Belieber for?
I’ve been a Belieber since 2009.
Why do you love Justin Bieber so much?
I’m pretty sure I have answered this question a million times but I never get tired of it. I love Justin because of his heart, his work ethic, and his ability to rise again. By his heart I not only mean his love for his fans but also for his family, friends, and people in general. His music was there for me when I needed it, so I would be there for him. I admire how far Justin has come and I am extremely proud of the man he is becoming.
Have you ever met him or seen him perform live? Where and when? How did you feel when you saw him IRL?
I could never afford to go to any of his concerts although I have seen and met Justin before. One of my favorite experiences with Justin was this year on Valentine’s Day. It was early in the morning but for a few minutes I was able to talk to him. He most likely doesn’t remember, but I pitched him an idea to start a college scholarship for Beliebers. Every time I see Justin he doesn’t seem real, but he is and sometimes I just want to meet him to make sure he’s doing okay. It’s nice to see pictures of him smiling but you never know what someone is really going through when there isn’t a camera to capture it. I hope I get to have more experiences with him.
If you got the chance to say one thing to him, what would you say?
Two words, 8 letters: thank you. Though it is said often, he really did save my life. For ten years I was a figure skater, which was an important part of my life, but it was also a hard time. It is a very competitive sport and there was a lot of pressure on me — not to mention also being in high school. At one point I was injured during practice, and I started to not put my all in skating so I wouldn’t fall again. Justin helped me get through so many obstacles and become the determined young lady I am today.
What are the benefits of being a Belieber, other than a mutual love of Justin?
It’s nice to know there are people who understand exactly how you feel about someone. We all go through similar struggles in life and at times we lift each up. Whether it’s making a joke about Justin or fan girling over new music, we are like a big family at times.
What’s your favorite Justin Bieber song?
My favorite song is Be Alright. For the longest time, that song was like my kind of therapy. Whether it was a bad day at school or I was stressed out about something, listening to that song helped and still helps to put my mind at ease.
Do you think you or other Beliebers are ever in danger of taking your fandom too far?
There are times when I think Beliebers think they own Justin. We do not. We support him and his decisions. At times, we may not agree with everything he does, but it’s not our place to judge. We all need to always take a step back and focus on our own lives and not just Justin.
Do you think you will love him forever?
Forever is a long time, but I don’t see why not? He makes me happy and that’s a feeling I hope to have forever.
@preciousrevival.
Israel Soares, 19, London
How long have you been a Belieber for?
Since 2012 when Boyfriend came out.
Why do you love Justin Bieber so much?
Because he’s hella cute and nice. He inspires me to not only try to achieve my dreams but to also make the world a better place.
Have you ever met him or seen him perform live? Where and when? How did you feel when you saw him?
I have met him once but never seen him perform live. I met him outside his hotel once I literally freaked out and could not breathe.
If you got the chance to say one thing to him, What would you say?
Will you marry me? <3
What are the benefits of being a Belieber, other than a mutual love of Justin?
You will meet and make lots of friends. You will have a lot of people to rely on when you need info about the Biebs. You will have company if you camp for a concert.
Are you friends with other Beliebers? Have you met them in person or do you just chat over the internet?
Yes, I am. I have met them in person but I also have an online friend who I’m hoping to meet one day.
Do you keep up with everything Justin does?
Yes! All the time! I follow him, though still waiting for his follow back.
Is he good at interacting with his fans? Has he ever interacted with you over social media?
Yes, he replies and fav’s people all the time, but unfortunately he never interacted with me.
What’s your favourite bieber song?
My fave Bieber song is Recovery from My Journals.
Do you think you or other Beliebers are ever in danger of taking your fandom too far?
In my opinion, no! I have boundaries, and it’s up to each Belieber to see how far to take the fandom!
Do you think you will love him forever?
Always! Until I die!
@israelsoares003
Diana Veras, 19, New York
How long have you been a Belieber for?
Since I was in the eighth grade.
Why do you love Justin Bieber so much?
He was like my generation’s Justin Timberlake, so I kinda just loved him.
Have you ever met him or seen him perform live?
I saw him a couple times when I was younger, I was at his first Madison Square Garden concert where Scooter [his manager] gave me tickets. That was sick.
If you got the chance to say one thing to him, what would you say?
I’d probably just say ‘hey.’ He’s a normal kid. I wouldn’t wanna bother him.
What’s your favorite Justin Bieber song?
As of right now, Love Yourself, or First Dance.
@mynamesdiana
Siobhan Brennan, 20, London
How long have you been a Belieber for?
Since the very first time I heard One Time played way back in 2009 and I saw his adorable infamous hair flick.
Why do you love Justin Bieber so much?
He’s a really great person. I admire the way he views life, he’s really down to earth and has great sense of humor. He makes great music and nobody can deny how good looking he is.
Have you ever met him or seen him perform live? Where and when? How did you feel when you saw him IRL?
I met him in September this year in Shepherd’s Bush. There was only six of us so it wasn’t manic, it was so chill. It was crazy when he walked out of the door — it was had to believe it was actually him. I’ve seen him perform live a few times, his shows are a rollercoaster of emotions.
If you got the chance to say one thing to him, what would you say?
There are a million and one things I would like to say to him, but if it had to be just one, probably just say to keep doing you. Don’t worry too much about what the media has to say and just keep making great music because it all speaks for itself in the end. Oh, and thank you.
What are the benefits of being a Belieber, other than a mutual love for Justin?
Probably getting to do cool interviews like this!
How do you keep up with everything Justin does?
Believe me, it’s a hard job. I have his Twitter and Instagram notifications turned on so I know when he posts. I also follow many fan pages that keep me up to date as well as the crew he works with and celebrity tabloid pages.
Is he good at interacting with his fans? Has he ever interacted with you over social media?
Yes! The day I met him I tweeted a picture of me and him captioning it “the best day of my life” and I’m not sure how he found it but a few hours later he tweeted me back saying “mine too J.” I was so shocked it was hard to believe — he doesn’t interact with us as much as he used to, he used to do tweet sprees and live cams, but now I think he’s too busy making music and enjoying life.
What’s your favorite Justin Bieber song?
This is such a hard question because it depends what mood I’m in. If I’m in a sad or emotional mood probably Overboard or Be Alright. If I’m in a good mood probably Confident or What Do You Mean.
What do you think of what you’ve heard of his new album Purpose, so far?
I really love it, it’s a new style of music which is great because I feel like I have grown up along with his music and he has worked with some fantastic artists on the new album. It has been on repeat since it came out!
Do you think you or other Beliebers are ever in danger of taking fandom too far?
I think that some of his younger fans give the fandom a bad reputation which leads to bad press — like when he tried to leave the stage but the fans wouldn’t let him, which lead to the media shaming him. I’ve seen videos of fans ambushing him, jumping in front of his car and chasing him down the road. I hate that because we’re not all like that.
Do you think you’ll love him forever?
I mean, there will probably become a day when I turn his notifications off or read less about what he is doing daily, but he has been such a huge part of my life. I will always appreciate him and his music.
@imshivie
Credits
Photography Rosie Matherson (London) and Mayan Toledano (New York)