Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual assault that some readers may find distressing.
Justin Bieber has opened up about the troubling treatment he faced during his rise to stardom, highlighting an incident at the 2012 American Music Awards that left him feeling violated. During the live event, actress Jenny McCarthy groped and kissed Bieber after announcing his win for Rock/Pop Album of the Year. McCarthy grabbed his neck and butt, prompting visible discomfort from the singer, who later stated, “Wow. I feel violated right now.”
McCarthy later admitted to her inappropriate behavior, joking about the encounter in interviews. She confessed, “I kind of molested him,” and called it her “cougar fantasy.” Despite the disturbing nature of the incident, McCarthy brushed it off as spontaneous and playful, leaving many unsettled by her comments.
This wasn’t the only inappropriate interaction Bieber experienced as a young artist. In a resurfaced TikTok clip, Bieber was repeatedly asked inappropriate questions by a female radio host when he was just 15 years old. The host pressured him to give her “the s*x talk,” to which Bieber uncomfortably responded, “Why do you want to know the s*x talk from a 15-year-old boy? That’s pretty weird.”
Incident at the 2012 AMAs:
Reflecting on his early career, Bieber has expressed a desire to protect younger artists from similar situations. In a viral interview, he spoke about wanting to shield fellow musician Billie Eilish from the pressures he faced. “I just want to protect her. I don’t want her to go through anything I went through,” Bieber said, referring to the emotional toll of fame at such a young age.
These incidents highlight the challenges Bieber faced growing up in the industry and the inappropriate behavior directed toward him by adults. His openness about these experiences serves as a reminder of the need for better protection of young performers.
Jenny McCarthy backstage interview following the incident: