Justin Bieber has shared a heartfelt message about his ongoing battle with imposter syndrome, revealing feelings of self-doubt and unworthiness despite his massive success. In a candid Instagram Story post, the 30-year-old singer admitted to often feeling “unqualified and unequipped” in his career and personal life.
Bieber’s post, set to an audio track titled “Sneaky Sneaky,” reflected on his lifelong struggle with feeling like a “fraud.” He wrote, “People told me my whole life, ‘Wow, Justin, you deserve that,’ and I personally have always felt unworthy. Like I was a fraud. Like when people told me I deserve something, it made me feel sneaky—like, damn, if only they knew my thoughts, how judgmental I am, how selfish I really am. They wouldn’t be saying this.”
He concluded the post with a message of solidarity, saying, “If you feel sneaky, welcome to the club. I definitely feel unequipped and unqualified most days.”
The post comes amid weeks of speculation about Bieber’s well-being. In February, representatives for Bieber and his wife, Hailey Bieber, addressed the rumors, calling the constant scrutiny “exhausting and pitiful.” They emphasized that the couple is focused on their growing family, having welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber, in 2024.
The statement also revealed that Bieber has been making significant changes in his life, including ending “several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him.” He has been working on new music, with his most recent album, Justice, released in March 2021. Singer-songwriter Mk.gee, who collaborated with Bieber in the studio last year, described him as “searching” and noted that Bieber’s creative process is deeply personal.
Bieber’s struggles with fame and self-worth are not new. In a 2021 interview with GQ, he spoke openly about the pressures of the music industry and how they affected his mental health.
“There’s all these opinions. And in this industry, you’ve got people that unfortunately prey on people’s insecurities and use that to their benefit,” he said. “And so when that happens, obviously that makes you angry. And then you’re this young angry person who had these big dreams, and then the world just jades you and makes you into this person that you don’t want to be.”
He added, “You wake up one day and your relationships are fucked up, and you’re unhappy, and you have all this success in the world, but you’re just like: Well, what is this worth if I’m still feeling empty inside?”
Justin’s situation tells us that Mental Health must be paid much attention to.
