Justin Bieber’s Rep Slams ‘Salacious’ Rumors About Drug Use, Speaks Out About the ‘Truth’ in New Statement

Justin Bieber’s representative has denied the pop star is using drugs following recent concerns about his behavior.

In a statement from Sunday, Feb. 23, which was first reported by TMZ, a member of Justin, 30, and  Hailey Baldwin Bieber’s team claimed that the narrative that he is using drugs is false and called the allegations “exhausting.”

The rep added that the past year has been “very transformative” for Justin “as he ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him.”

Instead, the team member said that Justin is supporting Hailey, 28, and their son, Jack Blues, 6 months, and is focusing on his health and art.

 They called the false rumors about his drug use “exhausting and pitiful,” adding that “despite the obvious truth, people are committed to keeping negative, salacious, harmful narratives alive.”

A rep for Justin declined to provide further comment to PEOPLE at the time.

After the “Baby” singer received criticism for looking tired earlier this month with dark circles around his eyes, TMZ reported that he had been up all night for a recording session and caring for his son who was struggling to sleep.

Over the years, Justin has been open about his past drug use.

In May 2021, he opened up to GQ about reaching a low point where security guards would sneak into his bedroom in the middle of the night and check his pulse to make sure he was still alive.

“There was a sense of still yearning for more,” Justin told the publication. “It was like I had all this success and it was still like: ‘I’m still sad, and I’m still in pain. And I still have these unresolved issues.’ And I thought all the success was going to make everything good.”

“And so for me, the drugs were a numbing agent to just continue to get through.”

He further explained that he “lost control of my vision for my career.”

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In September 2019, Justin also shared a lengthy post on Instagram, where he reflected on how achieving fame at age 13, growing up in an unstable home, and having “access to whatever I wanted” led him to struggle both physically and mentally later in life.

He also revealed that the unmanageable “ups and downs” from being an entertainer caused him to start relying on “heavy drugs” by age 19. At the time, Justin said he “abused all of [his] relationships” and was being “disrespectful to women.”

“I became resentful… and angry,” he wrote. “I became distant to everyone who loved me, and I was hiding behind, a shell of a person that I had become. I felt like I could never turn it around.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.