Justin Bieber Opens Up About Struggles with Hate and Self-Doubt in Cryptic Instagram Post

The “Baby” singer reflects on his emotions and the challenges of letting go of negativity, sharing an intimate look at his personal struggles.

In a recent, deeply introspective Instagram post, Justin Bieber revealed the emotional weight he has been carrying, sharing his struggles with hate, self-doubt, and the feeling of being “drowning” under the pressures of life. The 31-year-old singer, who is known for his candid social media updates, took to Instagram on Sunday to express a personal realization: that in order to truly heal, he must confront the feelings of hate he’s carried for so long.

“I was always told when I was a kid not to hate,” Bieber began his post, which was written in all caps. “But it made me feel like I wasn’t allowed to have it and so I didn’t tell anyone I’ve had it.” In this raw admission, he explained how, for years, he bottled up these emotions, unable to share his struggles with others. He went on to describe how hiding these feelings made him feel unsafe and overwhelmed, like he was “drowning.”

The singer emphasized the importance of acknowledging hate in order to let it go: “I think we can only let hate go by first acknowledging it’s there. How couldn’t we feel hate from all of the hurt we have experienced?”

Bieber’s post offered a glimpse into the inner turmoil he has faced throughout his career, as he continues to process the challenges that come with fame. It also shed light on a deeper issue many can relate to—the tension between wanting to be positive and grappling with unresolved emotions.

Earlier in the week, Bieber also shared another vulnerable Instagram story about self-doubt and feeling “unequipped and unqualified most days.” He reflected on how, despite being told by others that he “deserved” the success he’s achieved, he has often felt like a “fraud.” This internal conflict has plagued him for much of his life, and he candidly admitted that the recognition from others made him feel “sneaky,” as though people didn’t understand the true thoughts behind his success.

This most recent post came just a few days after Bieber shared another cryptic message about having “nothing to prove.” In that post, which accompanied a heartfelt moment to Stevie Wonder’s “Sir Duke,” the two-time Grammy winner wrote: “We have nothing to prove today, just the gift of life today to accept and [receive]. Nothing is owed to us and we [don’t] owe anyone anything.” It was a statement reflecting his desire to live more authentically, without the pressures of external validation.

Bieber’s fans have been increasingly concerned for his well-being in recent months, particularly after noticing changes in his physical appearance and behavior. The singer, who welcomed his son, Jack Blues, with wife Hailey Baldwin Bieber in August 2024, has since addressed the speculation. In a statement from his team, it was clarified that rumors about his health and alleged drug use were not true, calling them “exhausting and pitiful.”

Despite these challenges, Justin has continued to focus on his family life and personal growth. He and Hailey, who married in 2018, are adjusting to life as parents, and their son, Jack Blues, has brought them both immense joy.

As Justin continues to open up about his struggles, it’s clear that his journey toward healing and self-acceptance is ongoing. With each post, he offers a deeper, more vulnerable look into his life beyond the spotlight, providing fans with an understanding of the challenges that accompany fame and personal growth.

In sharing his feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, and the need to “let hate go,” Bieber reminds us all that even the most successful figures face moments of emotional vulnerability, and that acknowledging our feelings is the first step toward healing.