Justin Bieber officially stopped being a "teen" star when he turned 20 in 2014. Now that he's 25 as of March 1 he is well into adulthood. Here are 25 ways Bieber has transformed from his days singing "Baby" to being a grown man:
Justin Bieber officially stopped being a "teen" star when he turned 20 in 2014. Now that he's 25 as of March 1 he is well into adulthood. Here are 25 ways Bieber has transformed from his days singing "Baby" to being a grown man:
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<strong>1. Got a haircut: </strong>Bieber ditched those side-swept bangs his fans obsessed about for a more adult (and masculine) look in 2011.
1. Got a haircut: Bieber ditched those side-swept bangs his fans obsessed about for a more adult (and masculine) look in 2011.
Jeff Fusco/Nicky Loh/Getty Images
<strong>2. Got inked ... extensively: </strong><a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F03%2F04%2Fshowbiz%2Fjustin-bieber-jail-video%2Findex.html%3Fhpt%3Den_bn2" target="_blank">As evidenced by police images</a>, Bieber has a reported 10-plus tattoos on his body. This is the same kid who started his ink collection at 16 by getting a "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" tattoo that matches his dad's.
2. Got inked ... extensively: As evidenced by police images, Bieber has a reported 10-plus tattoos on his body. This is the same kid who started his ink collection at 16 by getting a "Jonathan Livingston Seagull" tattoo that matches his dad's.
Prince Williams/FilmMagic/GETTY IMAGES
<strong>3. Travels by private jet: </strong>The easiest way to tell you're no longer just YouTube famous is when you can afford to cruise the skies by private jet and maybe even light up something illegal during the flight. In January 2014, Bieber -- <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nydailynews.com%2Fentertainment%2Fgossip%2Fjustin-bieber-reluctant-fly-selena-gomez-folks-private-jet-insiders-article-1.1063212" target="_blank" target="_blank">known for enjoying the status of a personal aircraft</a> -- and his dad, Jeremy, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F05%2Fshowbiz%2Fjustin-bieber-marijuana-flight%2Findex.html%3Firef%3Dallsearch" target="_blank">allegedly refused a pilot's warning to stop smoking pot</a> while on a flight from Canada to New Jersey.
3. Travels by private jet: The easiest way to tell you're no longer just YouTube famous is when you can afford to cruise the skies by private jet and maybe even light up something illegal during the flight. In January 2014, Bieber -- known for enjoying the status of a personal aircraft -- and his dad, Jeremy, allegedly refused a pilot's warning to stop smoking pot while on a flight from Canada to New Jersey.
SHANNON STAPLETON/REUTERS/LANDOV
<strong>4. Was exposed to scandal:</strong> The first smudge on Bieber's squeaky-clean teen image came in 2011, when a young woman named Mariah Yeater falsely claimed that Bieber fathered a child with her after a bathroom rendezvous at one of his concerts. Even though Yeater's story didn't hold water, just the thought of Bieber doing the deed with a fan made the public start to view the kid in a different way.
4. Was exposed to scandal: The first smudge on Bieber's squeaky-clean teen image came in 2011, when a young woman named Mariah Yeater falsely claimed that Bieber fathered a child with her after a bathroom rendezvous at one of his concerts. Even though Yeater's story didn't hold water, just the thought of Bieber doing the deed with a fan made the public start to view the kid in a different way.
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<strong>5. Got serious</strong>: He still wants to see "U Smile," but Bieber has pretty much stopped showing his pearly whites in favor of giving cameras a glare. Usually, said glare is accompanied by a furrowed brow, as expertly done by "Saturday Night Live's" Kate McKinnon. <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F28%2Fshowbiz%2Fgallery%2Fhappy-birthday-justin-bieber%2Fwww.broadwayworld.com%2Fvideoplay.php%3Fcolid%3D665706%23.UxEGDOjTnct" target="_blank">(No, seriously, you have to see it.)</a>
5. Got serious: He still wants to see "U Smile," but Bieber has pretty much stopped showing his pearly whites in favor of giving cameras a glare. Usually, said glare is accompanied by a furrowed brow, as expertly done by "Saturday Night Live's" Kate McKinnon. (No, seriously, you have to see it.)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Jingle Ball 2012
<strong>6. Became Joe Cool: </strong>The more cynical probably assume that Bieber persistently wears sunglasses to hide evidence about his recreational activities. But we're going to assume he's constantly wearing shades because everywhere he goes is just particularly bright.
6. Became Joe Cool: The more cynical probably assume that Bieber persistently wears sunglasses to hide evidence about his recreational activities. But we're going to assume he's constantly wearing shades because everywhere he goes is just particularly bright.
Butch Dill/Getty Images for Jingle Ball 2012
<strong>7. Fought with paparazzi: </strong>If you don't get into a fight with a photographer, are you really a celebrity? Bieber's breaking moment came in March 2013 when, after having a bad 19th birthday and frustrating week of performances in London, he threatened paparazzi haranguing him.
7. Fought with paparazzi: If you don't get into a fight with a photographer, are you really a celebrity? Bieber's breaking moment came in March 2013 when, after having a bad 19th birthday and frustrating week of performances in London, he threatened paparazzi haranguing him.
FameFlynetUK/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES
<strong>8. Lives fast:</strong> <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F06%2F18%2Fshowbiz%2Fcelebrity-news-gossip%2Fjustin-bieber-accident%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Bieber may love cars, but he has a horrendous driving record</a>. He was involved in a high-speed chase with paparazzi in July 2012; was cited for making an unsafe left turn and having an expired registration in November 2012; and drove fast enough through his Calabasas, California, neighborhood in 2013 that his neighbors called the cops -- twice. And then, in January 2014, he was arrested and charged with drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid license.
8. Lives fast: Bieber may love cars, but he has a horrendous driving record. He was involved in a high-speed chase with paparazzi in July 2012; was cited for making an unsafe left turn and having an expired registration in November 2012; and drove fast enough through his Calabasas, California, neighborhood in 2013 that his neighbors called the cops -- twice. And then, in January 2014, he was arrested and charged with drunken driving, resisting arrest and driving without a valid license.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
<strong>9. Fell in love: </strong>Justin Bieber's on-again, off-again relationship with Selena Gomez lasted about three years, but more importantly, the romance helped to show that Bieber was capable of wooing a star of Gomez's caliber (and a slightly older one, at that).
9. Fell in love: Justin Bieber's on-again, off-again relationship with Selena Gomez lasted about three years, but more importantly, the romance helped to show that Bieber was capable of wooing a star of Gomez's caliber (and a slightly older one, at that).
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
<strong>10. Got arrested. Twice. In one week:</strong> In case anyone, anywhere missed the memo about Bieber being music's newest bad boy, the star got himself arrested twice in one week. He was arrested in Miami on January 23, 2014, on a DUI charge, and again in Toronto on January 29 for an alleged assault charge. Not to mention he was also dealing with California officials who are investigating <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F02%2F25%2Fshowbiz%2Fjustin-bieber-legal-troubles%2Findex.html%3Firef%3Dallsearch" target="_blank">a potential vandalism charge for an alleged egging. </a>
10. Got arrested. Twice. In one week: In case anyone, anywhere missed the memo about Bieber being music's newest bad boy, the star got himself arrested twice in one week. He was arrested in Miami on January 23, 2014, on a DUI charge, and again in Toronto on January 29 for an alleged assault charge. Not to mention he was also dealing with California officials who are investigating a potential vandalism charge for an alleged egging.
Jag Gundu/Getty Images
<strong>11. Embraced risky fashion:</strong> It's pretty impossible to be on the cover of a teenybopper magazine like Tiger Beat when you're wearing a gas mask, which we assume is the point when Bieber elects to wear increasingly outrageous outfits and accessories. Lady Gaga, watch your back.
11. Embraced risky fashion: It's pretty impossible to be on the cover of a teenybopper magazine like Tiger Beat when you're wearing a gas mask, which we assume is the point when Bieber elects to wear increasingly outrageous outfits and accessories. Lady Gaga, watch your back.
Neil Mockford/FilmMagic/GETTY IMAGES
<strong>12. Ditched his belts:</strong> To shed teen stardom you usually have to go full Britney or Miley and embrace nudity. Bieber's pulled that off in two ways: First, he cultivated a dysfunctional relationship with belts, as seen here in 2012 ...
12. Ditched his belts: To shed teen stardom you usually have to go full Britney or Miley and embrace nudity. Bieber's pulled that off in two ways: First, he cultivated a dysfunctional relationship with belts, as seen here in 2012 ...
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Jingle Ball 2012
<strong>13. Stopped wearing shirts:</strong> And then, he started walking around topless, like when he was in London for his 19th birthday in 2013.
13. Stopped wearing shirts: And then, he started walking around topless, like when he was in London for his 19th birthday in 2013.
PALACE LEE/PACIFIC COAST NEWS
<strong>14. Started sampling the nightlife</strong>: According to the rumor mill, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgawker.com%2Fjustin-bieber-licks-strippers-nipple-1513933703" target="_blank" target="_blank">Justin Bieber enjoys strippers</a>, and <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2014%2F01%2F21%2Fjustin-bieber-miami-strip-club-king-of-diamonds-tmz-tv%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">he's a very, very big tipper</a>. Whether he actually visits strip clubs or not -- and he wasn't here; this picture was taken outside of Miami's Mansion night club -- isn't really the point. As in the case of Mariah Yeater, the woman who made the Bieber-daddy claim, just the insinuation that he's a fan of "adult entertainment" is enough to distance himself from his teen star reputation.
14. Started sampling the nightlife: According to the rumor mill, Justin Bieber enjoys strippers, and he's a very, very big tipper. Whether he actually visits strip clubs or not -- and he wasn't here; this picture was taken outside of Miami's Mansion night club -- isn't really the point. As in the case of Mariah Yeater, the woman who made the Bieber-daddy claim, just the insinuation that he's a fan of "adult entertainment" is enough to distance himself from his teen star reputation.
Vallery Jean/FilmMagic/getty images
<strong>15. Drag-raced with a model:</strong> Everyone knows that misbehaving rock stars and models are essentially magnets, so Bieber was sure to have model Chantel Jeffries riding shotgun <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F01%2F23%2Fshowbiz%2Fjustin-bieber-arrest%2Findex.html%3Firef%3Dallsearch" target="_blank">when he was pulled over for racing in Miami. </a>
15. Drag-raced with a model: Everyone knows that misbehaving rock stars and models are essentially magnets, so Bieber was sure to have model Chantel Jeffries riding shotgun when he was pulled over for racing in Miami.
Manuel Munoz/PacificCoastNews
<strong>16. Created a personal "frat house": </strong>According to a detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Bieber crafted a "frat house" among the multimillion-dollar mansions in Calabasas, California. There were ping-pong and pool tables, a Ms. Pac-Man video game and a basketball free-throw machine, plus a skateboard ramp covered with spray-painted graffiti in the back. He's since sold the home to Khloe Kardashian.
16. Created a personal "frat house": According to a detective with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Bieber crafted a "frat house" among the multimillion-dollar mansions in Calabasas, California. There were ping-pong and pool tables, a Ms. Pac-Man video game and a basketball free-throw machine, plus a skateboard ramp covered with spray-painted graffiti in the back. He's since sold the home to Khloe Kardashian.
KTLA
<strong>17. Developed a selfie obsession: </strong>Biebs broke out with YouTube videos of his performances, so his predilection for taking his own photos (constantly) is a natural evolution.
17. Developed a selfie obsession: Biebs broke out with YouTube videos of his performances, so his predilection for taking his own photos (constantly) is a natural evolution.
justinbieber/instagram
<strong>18. Made famous friends</strong>: Bieber came into this business with one known famous friend (Usher). Now look how many he has! In Atlanta in 2014, he partied with the likes of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Rick Ross and Wale.
18. Made famous friends: Bieber came into this business with one known famous friend (Usher). Now look how many he has! In Atlanta in 2014, he partied with the likes of Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, Rick Ross and Wale.
Prince Williams/FilmMagic/GETTY IMAGES
<strong>19. Released a "sexy" music video: </strong>Remember the 2010 music video for <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DkffacxfA7G4" target="_blank" target="_blank">Bieber's "Baby,"</a> when the closest he came to touching a girl was gallantly grabbing her hand? "All That Matters," released in the fall of 2013, was just suggestive enough to show that Bieber's interests are now more grown-up but not so illicit that it would be totally inappropriate for a still young fanbase.
19. Released a "sexy" music video: Remember the 2010 music video for Bieber's "Baby," when the closest he came to touching a girl was gallantly grabbing her hand? "All That Matters," released in the fall of 2013, was just suggestive enough to show that Bieber's interests are now more grown-up but not so illicit that it would be totally inappropriate for a still young fanbase.
From YouTube
<strong>20. Works hard at growing a mustache:</strong> Through the years, Justin Bieber has been nothing if not determined. His songs have gotten stronger, his escapades have gotten wilder, and his fame has only gotten bigger. We're pretty confident he'll pull through these growing pains and be able to transition to greater maturity. And when he does, his facial hair will tell the story.
20. Works hard at growing a mustache: Through the years, Justin Bieber has been nothing if not determined. His songs have gotten stronger, his escapades have gotten wilder, and his fame has only gotten bigger. We're pretty confident he'll pull through these growing pains and be able to transition to greater maturity. And when he does, his facial hair will tell the story.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
<strong>21. Attends his friends' fashion shows: </strong>Count Bieber among the many style-conscious celebs making appearances at runway shows during New York Fashion Week. In 2015, he attended the debut of buddy Kanye West's collaboration with Adidas Originals, Yeezy Season 1.
21. Attends his friends' fashion shows: Count Bieber among the many style-conscious celebs making appearances at runway shows during New York Fashion Week. In 2015, he attended the debut of buddy Kanye West's collaboration with Adidas Originals, Yeezy Season 1.
Devaney/GC Images/Getty Images
<strong>22. Won his first Grammy: </strong>While his music career has been huge, it wasn't until 2016 that Bieber won a Grammy thanks to his collaboration with Diplo and Skrillex. Their "Where Are U Now" single took home the tropy for best dance recording,
22. Won his first Grammy: While his music career has been huge, it wasn't until 2016 that Bieber won a Grammy thanks to his collaboration with Diplo and Skrillex. Their "Where Are U Now" single took home the tropy for best dance recording,
VALERIE MACON/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>23. Sold out shows during the "Purpose World Tour"</strong>: From March 2016 to July 2017 the singer toured the world, to the delight of his fans, in support of his "Purpose" album. But some fans were devastated when he <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2017%2F08%2F03%2Fentertainment%2Fjustin-bieber-letter%2Findex.html" target="_blank">canceled the final 14 tour dates, saying he wanted his career to be "sustainable." </a>
23. Sold out shows during the "Purpose World Tour": From March 2016 to July 2017 the singer toured the world, to the delight of his fans, in support of his "Purpose" album. But some fans were devastated when he canceled the final 14 tour dates, saying he wanted his career to be "sustainable."
Mat Hayward/Getty Images
<strong>24. Getting married:</strong> Nothing says "I think I'm grown" like tying the knot. In November 2018 <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2018%2F11%2F23%2Fentertainment%2Fjustin-bieber-married%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Bieber confirmed that he had married model Hailey Baldwin,</a> whom he had previously dated.
24. Getting married: Nothing says "I think I'm grown" like tying the knot. In November 2018 Bieber confirmed that he had married model Hailey Baldwin, whom he had previously dated.
Gotham/GC Images/GC Images
<strong>25. Opening up: </strong>The Biebers <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vogue.com%2Farticle%2Fjustin-bieber-hailey-bieber-cover-interview" target="_blank" target="_blank">sat down with Vogue f</a>or a rare interview published in February 2019. In it, he shared some revelations about drug abuse, celibacy and how marriage is "really effing hard."
25. Opening up: The Biebers sat down with Vogue for a rare interview published in February 2019. In it, he shared some revelations about drug abuse, celibacy and how marriage is "really effing hard."
Vogue
25 ways Justin Bieber has gone from 'Baby' to grown man

Story highlights

Justin Bieber threatened to quit Instagram after followers commented on his new gal pal

Bieber's ex Selena Gomez weighed in, then the superstar singer followed through with his threat

CNN  — 

Justin Bieber appears to have followed through on his threat and vanished from Instagram, potentially leaving thousands of Beliebers bereft.

It all started when Bieber posted some photos on Instagram of himself and his latest gal pal, Sofia Richie.

Richie, who is a 17-year-old model as well as the daughter of singer/songwriter Lionel Richie, has been seen out and about with Bieber in recent weeks.

Justin Bieber Sophie Richie Instagram
Instagram

The Instagram photos did not go over well with some of Bieber’s followers, apparently, because they had plenty to say about it – most of which was not nice.

Well, the singer did not take kindly to the comments. He threatened to block access to his social media accounts, which for Beliebers, could be the equivalent of cutting off their oxygen supply.

“I’m gonna make my Instagram private if you guys don’t stop the hate,” the 22-year-old pop star wrote in a caption of a black and white photo of himself and Richie. “This is getting out of hand, if you guys are really fans you wouldn’t be so mean to people that I like.”

Apparently the hate continued – the superstar singer’s account pointed to an error page early Tuesday: “Sorry, this page isn’t available. The link you followed may be broken, or the page may have been removed. Go back to Instagram.”

The social media schooling had turned serious after Bieber’s ex, singer Selena Gomez, weighed in on the drama. “If you can’t handle the hate then stop posting pictures of your girlfriend lol - it should be special between you two only,” Gomez wrote on Instagram.

“Don’t be mad at your fans,” Gomez added. “They love you.”

Bieber clapped back by commenting, “It’s funny to see people that used me for attention and still try to point the finger this way. Sad. All love.”

Then #RIPBeliebers and #SelenaEndedJustinParty became a thing, with folks declaring themselves Bieber free and #TeamGomez.

Now #JustinDeactivatedParty has emerged …

But Beliebers need not fear, the singer remains on Twitter and Facebook – for now they can get their fix.

Read: Why Bieber fans are turning on him