Justin Bieber 'trying to be better' following pot-smoking allegations

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2013/jan/07/justin-bieber-pot-smoking-allegations

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Justin Bieber said he is "trying to be better" after photos were published that appear to show the 18-year-old singer smoking cannabis.

On Friday, TMZ posted images that show Bieber at a party, holding what might be a hand-rolled joint. Sources claimed that Bieber's friend, the rapper Lil Twist, was "smoking everyone up" in the Newport Beach hotel room. Other guests are clearly drinking beer; Bieber is not yet of drinking age in California.

While many of Bieber's fans dismissed the allegations, others expressed shock and sorrow. "Bieber, what are you doing? drugs? Please, stop it!" wrote one fan. Another Belieber beseeched the universe for answers: "Justin Bieber sigh why why why why did u do drugs."

Bieber's only comments have been demure, opaque and actually a little chastened. "everyday growing and learning," he tweeted. "like i said … 2013 … new challenges. new doubters … u get knocked down, u get up … i see all of u. i hear all of u. i never want to let any of you down."

"I'm not going to … go out there and start partying, have people see me with alcohol," Bieber told V magazine last year. "I want to become the best at what I do. I want to be better than anybody who's ever done it. And in order to do that, I need to strive to be the best, be good to people and treat people with respect, and work as hard as I can."