Hailey Bieber went viral after she blasted Billboard for naming her husband, Justin Bieber, the 8th greatest pop star of the 21st century. This frank reaction launched one of the hottest topics about music rankings, celebrity influence, and how such lists might emotionally impact artists and their families.
In Billboard’s October 2024 issue, it released its list of the 25 best pop stars this century, and it placed Justin Bieber at number 8. The rankings toasted Justin’s achievements, from his record use of social media to boost his career to an extensive discography, including six Billboard Hot 100 No.1 singles and eight No.1 albums. But, amidst all these accolades, Billboard’s listing also reported that Justin has been more focused on his personal life over music recently, and besides, his most recent big album was ‘Justice’ back in 2021.
Never one to hold her tongue when it comes to her husband, Hailey Bieber did raise quite a hue and cry over Billboard’s Instagram announcement of the list. Her viral comment minced no words: “Billboard is a f*cking joke as per usual!” She really felt his influence on pop music merited consideration in higher ranking, if not his unparalleled cultural impact and trailblazing career parse.
Hailey’s comment has received a mixed reaction from the public. While her fans came forward, speaking about how much Justin had contributed to pop music, critics spoke in support of Billboard’s decision. Such divisiveness of opinion kept social media platforms abuzz.
One fan added on Instagram, “Justin shaped an entire generation’s sound. How is he only 8th?
One X user, previously known as Twitter—responded by stating: “Hailey is allowed to have her opinion but Justin hasn’t been as promoting recently. Which seems pretty damn fair when you have Billboard ranking.
Additionally, Hailey’s reaction ignited discussions on the ranking being based on opinion. To some, no list-a collection of the biggest tracks from an artist and/or those that defined said artist’s career-could ever take the place of a divisive talent like Justin Bieber.
At this point, Justin Bieber’s career arc isn’t anything short of phenomenal-from teenage heartthrob to worldwide pop sensation, Justin has indeed reached many milestones. His latest album, Justice, included hits like “Peaches,” in which he showed the world that, after all these years, he is still relevant. But for the past year or so, Justin has been more concerned with personal matters.
The baby Jack has just joined the family, and the media has been speculating on Justin’s health and well-being. Added to this, his reported emotional struggles, along with sustained media speculations, have heaped further pressure on the Bieber household. Hailey is aggressively defending Justin’s legacy, which explains a lot of the emotional stake that comes with public rankings. To both fans and family alike, these lists can feel like more than just numbers-often reputations and legacies are on the line. Hailey’s reaction speaks volumes about a broader phenomenon in which loved ones strike back with anger at perceived slights against celebrities.
