Fans have been speculating that Justin Bieber has started using drugs after he was photographed looking haggard in New York.
A representative for Justin and Hailey denied drug use to TMZ, telling the outlet that these claims are “exhausting.” The rep added that the last year has been “very transformative” for him "as he ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him."
The team member said that the couple is busy parenting their 6-month-old son, Jack Blues, and Justin is focusing on his health and music.
The rep also called the rumors “pitiful,” saying that "despite the obvious truth, people are committed to keeping negative, salacious, harmful narratives alive."
The cause for concern came earlier this month when Bieber was seen in NYC with dark circles around his eyes. However, according to the outlet, it seems he had pulled an all-nighter in the studio and was taking care of his child who was having trouble sleeping.
Per TMZ, Bieber got sober back in 2014 and stopped used of prescription pills and other strong substances.
In a 2021 interview with GQ, he revealed that his drug use was bad enough that his security guards would have to check his pulse in the middle of the night.
"There was a sense of still yearning for more," Justin told the magazine at the time. "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."
He added, "And so for me, the drugs were a numbing agent to just continue to get through."