Peter Kramer/NBCSure, Justin Bieber's music is growing up, but the 18-year-old proved in his "Today" show performance Friday that he's not leaving his youngest fans behind. In fact, the teen heartthrob paid special attention to two little Beliebers on the day of his much-hyped performance before 8,000 fans — some who had camped out since Tuesday! — in NYC's Rockefeller Plaza.
Before hitting the stage to sing hits like "Boyfriend" and "Baby," Biebs spoke with the show's host Matt Lauer and Avalanna Routh, a 6-year-old suffering from a rare form of brain cancer. The little girl, better known as Mrs. Bieber because she married a paper cutout of Bieber in a pretend wedding ceremony, met the pop star on Valentine's Day in the Big Apple, following a Facebook campaign by her family and friends. On "Today" with Routh, Bieber revealed that the two still keep in touch via iChat and FaceTime.
During Bieber's performance, which featured rapper Big Sean on the song "As Long As You Love Me," the singer took a moment to single out the fan who brought the best sign for his concert: a cutout of Earth that said "My Buzz Lightyear Justin," referencing the lyrics of Bieber's new single "Boyfriend": "I could be your Buzz Lightyear fly across the globe." The 5-year-old girl sitting atop her dad's shoulder holding the poster was supposed to win two tickets to an upcoming Bieber concert, but Bieber said on "Today" that he wanted to give the family a third ticket so mom could go, too. Aw! Do you think Biebs is so good with the little ones because he's close to his 4-year-old sister Jazmyn?
When it was time for Lauer to interview Bieber, the newsman didn't get any scoop on the pop star's personal life, including girlfriend Selena Gomez, but he did open up about the pressures of making the transition from teen idol to a more mature artist. "I'm 18 and have a lot of insecurities. At the end of the day, me being in my position doesn't get rid of those insecurities," Bieber said, adding that he's excited to introduce everyone to his mature new sound on his album, Believe, out June 19. "I think [this album] is about proving people wrong and going out there and making good music and going out there and performing better than everyone else. That's what I have to do to cross over [and become a more grown-up performer]. Or else I'll just be another teen heartthrob, and I want to be remembered."
Peter Kramer/NBC
Somehow I don't think there's a chance Beliebers will ever forget him!
More Celebrity Features on Yahoo!:
LATEST BLOGS
