Justin Bieber’s team has responded to recent reports suggesting the pop star is facing financial trouble following the cancellation of his 2023 world tour — calling the claims unfounded and misleading.
In September 2022, Bieber announced he would be cancelling the remainder of his Justice World Tour after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome earlier that year. The illness forced him to halt the North American leg of the tour, and on the advice of doctors, family, and his team, he ultimately decided to cancel all remaining dates, including those in Europe, Australia, and the U.S.
A recent report published by The Hollywood Reporter on April 16 alleged that the tour’s cancellation left Bieber in significant debt. The article claims the pop star received a $40 million advance from the tour’s promoter, but by not completing the tour, he allegedly failed to fulfill contractual obligations — resulting in a reported debt of over $20 million.
The report further asserts that the debt was covered as a loan from Bieber’s then-manager, and that the 31-year-old has yet to fully repay it. It also claims more than 100 crew members were laid off as a result of the cancellation.
Bieber’s team has firmly denied the allegations. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, a representative said:
“Any source that is trying to sell you a story about alleged financial distress … either doesn’t understand the entertainment industry or, more likely, is trying to paint an unflattering portrait of Justin, which bears no resemblance to reality.”
In a follow-up statement to Us Weekly, the team added:
“This is just clickbait stupidity based on unnamed — and clearly ill-informed — ‘sources,’ disappointed that they no longer work with Justin.”
While Bieber has yet to personally comment on the reports, his team’s strong rebuttal suggests they’re not letting the rumors shake them — and they remain confident in setting the record straight.
Bieber was forced to cancel the rest of his world tour (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Justin Bieber)
“As Justin forges his own path forward, these unnecessary stories and inaccurate assumptions are bound to surface. But they won’t deter him from staying focused on what truly matters — his health, his craft, and doing things the right way,” his team added.
Bieber has previously opened up about his battle with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, courageously sharing vulnerable moments on social media to give fans a glimpse into the realities of the condition.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Ramsay Hunt syndrome — also known as herpes zoster oticus — occurs when the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes shingles) reactivates and spreads to the facial nerves near the inner ear.
The condition can lead to a range of symptoms, including facial weakness or stiffness on one side, depending on which branch of the facial nerve is affected. This can make it difficult to close the eye, wrinkle the forehead, or make expressions like smiling or frowning. In more severe cases, it may result in facial drooping or paralysis, slurred speech, and difficulty eating.
Bieber has been open about his health struggles (Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
When announcing the cancellation of his tour, Bieber opened up about the toll his condition had taken on him, citing the overwhelming exhaustion he was experiencing and emphasizing the need to put his health first.
In a candid video shared on social media, the singer revealed the severity of his diagnosis, showing visible facial paralysis and describing the condition as “pretty serious.”
“I wish this wasn’t the case,” he said, “but obviously, my body’s telling me that I gotta slow down. I hope you guys understand, and I’ll be using this time to just rest and relax and get back to 100 percent so that I can do what I was born to do.”
He added that he was committed to recovery: “I’m gonna get better, and I’m doing all these facial exercises to get my face back to normal. And it will go back to normal — it’s just a matter of time. We just don’t know how much time it’s gonna be.”
UNILAD has reached out to both Bieber’s representatives and The Hollywood Reporter for further comment.
