Justin Bieber has claimed he is retiring.
In
an announcement that no doubt caused rivers of teenage girls' tears
across the world, the 19-year-old star has revealed he is taking a step
back from the music
industry when his new album, Journals, is released next week, and it
could be
permanent.
The Heartbreaker hitmaker told radio station Power 106 in
Los Angeles, California, on Tuesday: 'After the new album, I'm actually
retiring man. I'm retiring.'
Is it all over? Justin Bieber claimed that he
was retiring as a singer during an appearance on Power 106 radio station
on Tuesday, in Los Angeles, California (pictured)
Radio host
Kurt Alexander, better known as Big Boy, reacted by exclaiming 'What?'
and an audible gasp could be heard from the radio program's cast of
characters moments after Justin announced the news.
However while the star seemed
somewhat sure at first, following their reaction, he backtracked
slightly suggesting he has not quite made up his mind: 'I want to grow
as an artist and I'm taking a step out, I want my music to
mature.'
The singer, who has caused controversy in recent
months for antics including partying underage in nightclubs and spray-painting
public property in Australia, said the main issue is that he is no longer attracted to the idea of fame.
You're doing what? The 19-year-old told the
shocked radio station's hosts, 'After the new album, I'm actually
retiring man. I'm retiring'
All about the music: The Canadian said is no longer attracted to the idea of fame
The Baby star said: 'I'm here solely for my fans and for the
music.'
But before Beliebers everywhere despair, a source close to Justin told TMZ the 19-year-old was just joking and has
no plans to permanently hang up his microphone.
The insider said: 'The kid's got ambition.'
During the radio interview, Justin also hit back at his critics and denied he is
becoming increasingly arrogant.
They will be devastated: Fans waited for hours for the singer to arrive at for the interview
Call the fashion police: The pop star is often
poked fun of for his clothing choices and on Tuesday wore a pair of his
favourite low crotched leather trousers
He said: 'People think I'm arrogant, I'm not, I've
always been a caring and giving person.
'I'm 19 I'm gonna make mistakes it's
inevitable.'
The teenager has been in the news a lot lately.
The
star is currently preparing to testify in a case bought against him by
photographer, Jeffery Binion, who claims that one of the hitmaker's
bodyguards choked him and stole his camera equipment in June.
Having a laugh? Before Beliebers everywhere
despair, a source close to Justin said the 19-year-old was just joking
and has no plans to permanently hang up his microphone
Under fire: The singer is currently preparing to
testify in a case bought against him by photographer, Jeffery Binion,
who claims that one of the hitmaker's bodyguards choked him and stole
his camera equipment
Also, over the weekend, emergency services were called to the pop star's Calabasas mansion because of a young woman was found unconscious during a party in the early hours of Saturday morning.
She later came to and declined medical treatment before it arrived.
Talk of retirement comes a day before Justin's documentary Believe is premiered in Los Angeles.
Bieber through the ages: The star, seen here in
2010 and in 2012, has gone from a fresh faced kid, to a pop singer
trying to be edgier and now, to a heavily tattooed mega star
Inked up: Justin - who is worth an estimated
$130 million - has developed more of a bad ass personality recently,
tattoos included
Heralded by the star as a chance to tell his story, in the trailer he implores people to 'not believe the hype'.
Breaking down in tears at one point, Justin says he feels he is a target but he wants to focus on the fans and not the fame.
He says: 'It all started with the fans, so it's got to end with the fans. It's back to being the underdog.'
Since being discovered at the age of 13, Justin has become one of the most successful solo acts of all time and has an estimated net worth of in excess $130 million.
Don't believe the hype: Talk of retirement comes
a day before Justin's documentary Believe is premiered in Los Angeles.
The film looks at his rise to fame on and off stage
