The Daily Mail reported on the 12th (local time) that global pop star Justin Bieber's lavish comeback stage was met with unexpected harsh criticism and controversy.
According to the report, Justin Bieber, who headlined the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (hereafter Coachella) last Saturday, drew fans' anger as he was criticized as giving "the worst performance in the festival's history." The Daily Mail strongly criticized Justin Bieber's performance along with internet user reactions.
This Coachella stage was effectively Justin Bieber's first major comeback performance since he halted touring after being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome in 2022, and it had carried the expectations of fans around the world. He reportedly stood as the headliner for this performance and was paid about $10 million (about 1.49 billion won).
But the unmasked stage was, according to the Daily Mail's analysis, nothing but disappointing. Bieber, who took the stage in a hoodie and shorts, presented staging that mainly involved operating a laptop (MacBook) to play music and sing, without lavish performances or backup dancers. Some internet users reacted sharply, saying, "We didn't come to see a show where someone hands off YouTube clips on a laptop after being paid more than 13 billion won," and "This is way too little effort."
Complaints about the set list also erupted. Fans expected Bieber's gemlike hits, but he treated his prime-era classics such as 'Baby,' 'Never Say Never,' and 'Beauty and a Beat' only as very short medleys. Audiences were even unable to hide their bewilderment at a segment in which he played his childhood YouTube videos and sang along.
On the other hand, his latest songs released in 2025, such as "All I Can Take" and "Speed Demon," and tribute songs to his wife Hailey Bieber (Yukon, Go Baby, etc.) were given significant attention. On social media, posts poured out saying, "He seems to have no idea what fans want to see," and "Watching the live stream, you could visibly see the audience getting bored."
Bieber's set has faced even more backlash being compared to Sabrina Carpenter's performance the day before, which showcased explosive energy and lavish production. Some fans criticized the double standard, saying, "Why demand perfect choreography and production from female artists while a male star can be applauded just for standing in a hoodie in front of a laptop?"
[Photo] Hailey Bieber SNS
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