Madison Beer is reflecting on her teenage years and the pop star who defined them. The singer recently admitted that Justin Bieber was her ultimate obsession growing up, even keeping a cardboard cutout of him in her bedroom at age 12.
A Belieber From the Start
Beer shared the story during her appearance on the Podcrushed podcast, hosted by Penn Badgley, Nava Kavelin, and Sophie Ansari. When asked who might have been in her “locket” at 12 years old, she answered without hesitation: “Transparently, Justin Bieber.” She explained that fans could even find proof on her Instagram, where one of her earliest posts featured the cutout. “He was definitely my obsession,” Beer said, laughing about her teenage devotion.
From Fan to Collaborator
Beer’s connection to Bieber goes beyond fandom. In 2012, Bieber tweeted a video of her singing Etta James’ classic “At Last,” which quickly went viral and launched her career. “I freaked out,” she recalled. “Then I just kept on going with my normal life, and it was just this big deal for a second, and then I ended up meeting him, and I ended up signing with him, and it was a whirlwind.” The singer described the experience of working with Bieber as “insane,” given that he had been her idol for years. “[Bieber] probably would have been in my locket. That’s the truth,” she told Badgley.
Inspired by Her Younger Self
Beer, now 26, is making headlines with her new album Locket, which she says is inspired by her younger self. The project reflects her journey from a starstruck teenager to an established artist, weaving nostalgia with personal growth. Her candid confession about Bieber underscores how far she has come since her early days as a fan. What began as a cardboard cutout in her room eventually turned into a real-life collaboration with the global superstar.
A Full-Circle Moment
Beer’s story highlights the surreal nature of fame and fandom. For many fans, Bieber was the soundtrack of their teenage years. For Beer, he was not only that but also the catalyst for her career. As she continues to evolve as an artist, Beer embraces her past with humor and honesty, reminding fans that even pop stars once had posters—and cutouts—of their idols on the wall.
