He was just 13-years-old when he was discovered by music mogul Scooter Braun and his career quickly spiralled. With his sweeping fringe and perfect voice, it was clear to those around him that Justin Bieber was born for pop stardom. Originally from Ontario in Canada, Justin's mother was just 18 when she gave birth to him, while Justin's father was in jail.
![[The singer, 30, needed his parents more than ever at the time he was thrust into the spotlight as a teenager (pictured in 2011 with his mum Pattie, dad Jeremy and half sister Jazmyn)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/88885817-14342133-Justin_Bieber_30_needed_his_parents_more_than_ever_at_the_time_h-a-31_1738241133201.jpg)
After a turbulent childhood where he was raised primarily by his single mother Pattie, Justin's opportunity to make it big seemed like the saving grace the family needed. However, when Justin signed his first record deal in 2008, he was left potentially vulnerable to some of the industry's most dangerous and predatory stars - with his friendship with P Diddy now under renewed scrutiny amid allegations of sex trafficking and racketeering offences against the rapper, though not involving Bieber.
![[Abused as a child from the age of five by a male babysitter and a friend's grandfather, she's recalled how she became so accustomed to being violated 'that it began to feel normal' (pictured in 2013)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/90824463-14342133-Justin_Bieber_s_mother_Pattie_Mallette_was_crucial_to_her_son_s_-a-29_1738240627492.jpg)
From his father's absence during his upbringing, to mixing with the likes of Sean 'Diddy' Combs and LA Reid it seems Justin has spent years surrounded by a toxic circle he could never really trust. And as Justin continues to spark concerns after a worryingly tense and hollow-eyed sighting in New York on Wednesday, a source admitted to MailOnline that the star has been struggling with his mental health for a few years.
![[Pattie, now 49, mainly raised Justin as a single mother, having broken up with his father shortly after his birth]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/90824461-14342133-Pattie_now_49_mainly_raised_Justin_as_a_single_mother_having_bro-a-30_1738240639449.jpg)
They explained: 'Justin has been struggling for the last couple of years with his mental health and a significant part of that is down to his worry about being in certain public situations. 'He has built up a deep fear of being out in spaces with lots of people and has a deep-seated worry about large crowds.'.
![[Jeremy has been described as a 'deadbeat father' who only resurfaced when Justin became successful]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/15/88886371-14342133-Jeremy_has_been_described_as_a_deadbeat_father_who_only_resurfac-a-1_1738252677649.jpg)
