HIGHLIGHTS

Justin Bieber is internationall known as one of the biggest pop stars of this decade. After hitting the scene as R&B legend Usher’s protege, the Youtube sensation made his mark on the music scene with singles like “One Time,” “One Less Lonely Girl,” “Baby,” and “Never Say Never.” He has collaborated with megafamous artists like Sean Kingston, Usher and Ludacris; and he even collaborated with Jaden Smith, the up-and-coming actor (and son of superstars Will and Jada Pinkett Smith). Bieber is also notorious for his hip-hop dance skills, vibrant performances…oh yeah, and gaggle of screaming teens and tweens who are much a part of his performances and appearance as he is.

And of course, there’s the hair. My gosh, Justin Bieber’s hair just won’t quit winning (top that, Charlie Sheen!). From being mentioned on practically every single interview he’s ever done, to being a popular Halloween wig (and replicated do for those with long enough hair to pull off for a look-a-like costume) to even making national news, his hair is about as unstoppable as he is.

Justin Bieber has created an image for himself. Any Belieber would be able to quickly draw up a phsyical description of the star; a description that includes purple drawstring zip-up hoodie, straight leg jeans, skateboarder shoes, and the the thick, swooped hair that functions as its own entity on Bieber’s thin frame. That quintessential Bieber image was recently disrupted, though, when the now 17-year-old singer chopped off his hair and debuted a shorter, lighter ‘do. The fans were extremely vocal. Entertainment shows interviewed fans crying over the loss, getting angry about Bieber’s decision, or (in rare cases) accepting his decision to sport a more mature look.

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I’m personally in favor of the trim. As Bieber reaches adulthood-for a self-proclamined Bieber fan, that’s hard to imagine!-he is naturally going to mover farther away from his adolescent image. Justin Timberlake did the same thing in the late 90s, cutting off his curls and sporting a very trim style. Justin embraced the transition from childhood to adulthood (remember, he was about 16 years old when NSYNC hit the music scene?), and Bieber is on that path as well. Every child star has made that public transition, and in pretty much every case, the subjects have changed their hair to embody a new mature image.

To the fans who are upset about the change: get over it. It’s hair. I mean, he’s a cute kid, and you can actually see his face now! So this should be a plus for the countless fans who are convinced they’re going to be the future Mrs. Bieber one day. To the (ex)fans who are angry about the change: I would love to have so little going on in my life that I was about to get angry about a stranger’s hair. Invest that time in some calming activities, like yoga or socializing with real people. And for all the fans who look at the haircut as a gradual progression of Bieber’s maturity and growth: kudos for your mature acceptance of Justin Bieber for who he is as an artist and cultural icon. A haircut doesn’t detract from his social role as staple in the music community, nor does it make his music any less fun or “poppy.”

Congrats on the cut, Justin…I look forward to seeing your evolution as you continue to make your mark on the world of music.