The 22-year-old pop star delivered an electrifying performance of his “Sorry” and “Company” and won Top Male Artist during Sunday’s show, but fans couldn’t help but notice every time a camera cut to Bieber, he didn’t exactly look thrilled to be there.
“I don’t know about these award shows,” Bieber admitted in a lengthy Instagram rant on Monday. “No disrespect to anybody at any of the shows or the people running it. Nothing but love for you guys and your support. But I don’t feel good when I’m there nor after.”
“A lot of people in the audience there to be seem worried about how much camera time they will get or who they can network with,” he wrote alongside a photograph of sheep. “When I’m doing a regular show I feel they are there for the right reasons and to strictly have a good time!”
Bieber also explained why he was never seen smiling in the crowd during the show:
“I am privileged and honored to be recognized by my peers [but] in these settings I can’t feel the recognition. There’s an authenticity missing that I crave! And I wonder does anybody else,” he concluded, before adding an important note: “Sorry not sorry about grammar it’s not my strong point.”
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It’s a far cry f-rom the “endearing” enthusiasm the Purpose artist showed during a rehearsal for the show, when a source told ET he was “super into” his performance. Either way, Bieber didn’t stick around long after making his brief acceptance speech, as a source backstage spotted him leaving the venue “pretty hastily” afterward.
“He was just ready to go,” we’re told. “He wasn’t talking to anyone at all.”
Before his Instagram rant, Bieber posted a few good-natured shots f-rom the show, including one f-rom his performance that he captioned, “I look like a baby.”
And another shouting out Jessica Alba.
F-rom Britney Spears to Kesha and everyone in between, look back on more of the best, worst and weirdest moments f-rom the 2016 Billboard Music Awards in the video below.
