"Justin Bieber has won many big awards, he must have a lot of talent, why have Chinese fans not been afforded the right to appreciate him?" He Wenrui, a concerned fan, asked the bureau via a messaging board.
The Culture Bureau responded to queries about the sudden change by simply stating that "it was not appropriate to bring in artists with bad behavior" as the country tries to "purify" its performing arts environment.
It’s a mystery as to what run-in with the law or public opinion was the last straw for authorities, but Beijing might have been having flashbacks of the time the singer decided to drag race his yellow Lamborghini while drunk, or maybe when he chose to egg his Calabasas neighbor’s house.
However, if and when the Canadian pop star decides to clean up his act, officials are willing to reexamine their stance.
The last time Bieber performed in China was in 2013 – and the media coverage wasn’t exactly ideal. Causing a scene, the wannabe bad boy stripped on stage in Beijing, had his bodyguards carry him up the steps of the Great Wall of China, and drove a segway – shirtless, naturally – through the streets, according to the Huffington Post UK.
The Biebs is not alone in being banned in Beijing: other bigger and more established artists like Lady Gaga, Bjork and even Bon Jovi have also been blocked from performing. Incidentally, these musicians also expressed support for the Dalai Lama, the exiled Tibetan leader.
Currently making the rounds for his “Purpose World Tour,” the Biebs is due to perform in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore in September and October.
