Justin Bieber Responds to Getting Booed After Making London Concertgoers Wait
Justin Bieber’s London tour stop hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing.
The Canadian crooner, who was widely criticized for his “worst birthday” tantrum over the weekend, irritated his faithful fans and their parents Monday night by taking the stage nearly two hours late. But the 19-year-old is already doing damage control, insisting the story is being blown out of proportion though issuing an apology anyway.
The Biebs was scheduled to take the stage at London's O2 Arena at 8:30 p.m. on Monday. However, the young star didn’t hit the stage until 10:20. While typically Beliebers think the star can do no wrong, they grew impatient while waiting – and concert footage showed them booing from their seats.
[Related: Justin Bieber’s LMFAO Look Begs the Question WTF?!]
According to BBC News, many parents were irritated as well because they arrived to pick up their children at the venue, where doors had opened at 6.30 p.m.,just as Bieber was finally taking the stage. Some insisted that their children leave before the show started – after all, it was a school night – forfeiting the price of the expensive tickets.
Bieber had excuses – as well as an apology – for his tardy arrival at the sold-out show.
“Last night i was scheduled after 3 opening acts to go on stage at 935 not 830 but because of some technical issues i got on at 10:10..so... i was 40 min late to stage,” he tweeted Tuesday. “There is no excuse for that and I apologize for anyone we upset. However it was great show and Im proud of that.
“Tonight we will run on time and look forward to putting on an amazing show for everyone in attendance,” he continued. “My relationship with the media is not always easy but im trying. Im all about the music and the performance and i respect my fans.”
He ended by writing, “I never have any intent to upset or let anyone down. and Im not okay with things being exaggerated. once again sorry for anyone upset.”
Earlier in the day on Monday, Bieber was tweeting excitedly about performing his first of three shows this week at the O2. "In a good mood. Got my friends and team with me here and ready for Day 1 at the O2," he wrote. "London get ready! #BELIEVEtour." And, while he has been a fixture on the club scene since he arrived in London (hitting three in one night last week), he enjoyed a more low-key evening the night before his big show, getting dinner at the Indian restaurant Mint Leaf, where he had previously dined, and taking in a movie with friends.
He wasn’t seen after the concert either. Though on Tuesday morning – after his apology – he emerged from his hotel balcony to flash a peace sign to his fans below.
Bieber’s concert drama is on the heels of his birthday fiasco. On Friday night, he arrived at a London club for a circus-themed party that was being held in his honor. However, he became involved in a disagreement with club staff, reportedly because several people in his entourage were below the legal age of 18.
[Related: Who Is Ella-Paige Roberts Clarke? Five Things to Know About Justin Bieber's Maybe Girlfriend]
He took to Twitter to vent about having the “worst birthday,” prompting a backlash against him for coming across like a spoiled teenage millionaire.
More Celebrity Features on Yahoo!:
