WITH his blank stare, shaved head and sunken cheeks, a casual passer-by would not have recognised Justin Bieber. Long gone was the warm smile, floppy hair and fresh-faced looks that helped make the pop star a global sensation 16 years ago. Walking in New York on Wednesday, the 30-year-old Canadian singer appeared to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. With numerous disturbing rumours swirling around him, that would be understandable.

Sources say that Justin’s seven-year marriage to Hailey, 28, could be about to end, with him recently unfollowing her on social media. The birth of their first child in August was supposed to be a sign that the wild boy of pop had settled down. But the former heavy drug user was smoking what appeared to be cannabis earlier this month. Justin’s decision not to comment on the arrest of his ex-mentor and friend P Diddy for sex trafficking offences has also raised eyebrows.

The former child star was also badly affected by the death of his friend Liam Payne in October. A source has said of his marriage problems: “Some of Hailey’s friends have advised her to leave him. “His behaviour is sometimes unacceptable. She’s put up with a lot.”. Since marrying model Hailey in 2018 at a courthouse in New York, Justin had put most of his controversial behaviour behind him. That had included being arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of illegal substances in 2014, throwing punches in a street brawl two years later and taking so many drugs that his security “would come into my room at night to check my pulse”.

In 2019 he wrote on Instagram that he was trying to be a better person, having been “disrespectful to women” in the past. He added: ‘It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning with the right attitude when you are overwhelmed with your life, your past, job, responsibilities, emotions, your family, finances, and your relationship.”. Justin quit playing live in September 2022 near the end of a world tour following a rare facial infection.

Apologising for cancelling gigs, he told fans: “After getting off stage, the exhaustion overtook me and I realised that I need to make my health the priority right now.”. The following year the singer sold the rights to his entire back catalogue for £160million. And it seemed he was giving it all up last summer when he parted ways with his manager Scooter Braun, who had masterminded Justin’s huge success, including the hit singles Baby, Sorry and What Do You Mean?.

That was shortly before Hailey and Justin’s baby son Jack Blues was born in August. The couple have shared sweet images of the infant on social media and commented on the joys of parenthood. They took a romantic break in Costa Rica, posting photos of themselves enjoying the sunset. One insider told the New York Post that Justin was a doting dad who was enjoying spending time with his son. But there is evidence that behind the scenes all has not been well.

In 2023, Hailey announced on social media: “I have had some of the saddest, hardest moments I’ve ever had in my adult life and my mind and emotions have been fragile to say the least.”. Hailey’s been struggling with Justin almost since the start of the marriage. Then in late December, Justin posted some mysterious messages on social media which suggested the couple had broken up. He wrote on Instagram: “Co- parenting is failing . . . like tf.”.

The term “co–parenting” normally applies to couples looking after their children after splitting up. Last week it was claimed that the couple, who live in a secluded mansion in Beverly Hills, could go for days without even speaking to each other. Another source said: “Hailey’s been struggling with Justin almost since the start of the marriage. “She loves him madly but he’s a loose cannon.”.

Justin unfollowed his wife on social media this month, before quickly following her again, claiming his account had been hacked. It was another bizarre moment in their tumultuous relationship. Hailey and Justin were first a couple ten years ago, before splitting up in 2018. He then got back together with his former girlfriend Selena Gomez in May of that year. But that reconciliation only lasted a few weeks and Justin reunited with Hailey for good.

The couple’s background could not be more different. Justin’s dad Jeremy was in jail on the day he was born and he was brought up by single mother Pattie. Hailey, on the other hand, was raised by her wealthy parents, actor Stephen Baldwin and graphic designer Kennya, who have been married for three decades. Justin recently unfollowed his father-in-law on social media and there are rumours of a rift since Stephen asked people to pray for the singer and his daughter.