Joe Rogan has long been a defender of Justin Bieber, especially when it comes to the intense scrutiny the pop star faced as a young celebrity. In a March 2018 episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, Rogan spoke candidly about the challenges Bieber encountered on his path to fame. He emphasized that Bieber’s journey was far tougher than people realized, explaining that trying to figure out who you are while dealing with the overwhelming pressures of early stardom is a “way harder road.”
Rogan praised Bieber for handling the fame, despite the controversies that plagued his career. He noted that Bieber had navigated the chaos of his early years “phenomenally,” an opinion that was echoed by Rogan’s guest, country singer Sturgill Simpson. Both agreed that, given the circumstances, Bieber had done remarkably well in dealing with the intense public attention.
Justin Bieber’s rise to fame was meteoric, but it came at a steep price. In a 2015 Billboard interview, he reflected on how fame nearly destroyed him, admitting that the constant judgment and betrayal from others had a profound impact on him. Bieber revealed he was close to letting fame “completely destroy” him but ultimately came out stronger.
Rogan, understanding the psychological toll of being constantly in the public eye, sympathized with Bieber, noting how difficult it must have been for him to miss out on the normal experiences of growing up outside the spotlight.
By the time of Rogan’s interview, Bieber had already been involved in several high-profile scandals, including the infamous 2013 Anne Frank House incident and other incidents involving bad behavior like urinating in a mop bucket and egging a neighbor’s house. However, despite these missteps, Rogan continued to support Bieber, recognizing how hard it must have been to grow up in such a high-pressure environment.