Justin Bieber Shares DMX Sobriety Talk — Fans React Strongly

Justin Bieber was back in the news recently, re-opening conversations about drugs, sobriety, freedom, and the use of substances — and he didn’t even have to say a word. The pop singer reposted a post on Instagram on Sunday, sharing a three-minute video with his 226 million followers. The video is actually from a 2013 season of Iyanla: Fix My Life and is a featured clip of the late rapper DMX in the episode, chatting with life coach Iyanla Vanzant.

During the episode, Vanzant poses the question to DMX if he’d like to live “as a clean man.” “No weed, no drinking, nothing? Why would I?” he asked. The coach then explained that sobriety would help him to be “a clear, pure vessel for the voice of God.” “I think I’m exactly where I need to be with God,” the rapper fired back.

Justin didn’t include a caption with the post or any other information that would elaborate or explain his reason for sharing it. The original post is from Gassy, a Los Angeles-based marijuana dispensary, and it’s currently unclear whether the video is the singer’s way of publicly stating his thoughts on sobriety or if it was just a video he could personally relate to and wanted to share. The timing of the video, the source of the video, and the singer’s publicly known religious beliefs and relationships, including his spiritual direction from Churchome pastor Judah Smith, have continued to set off theories and some intrigue in online spaces.

Faith, Family, and Changing Priorities

Justin Bieber has long spoken openly about his spirituality. He’s shared several aspects of his life with his religious beliefs at the center, including a longstanding partnership with Churchome pastor Judah Smith. After a roller coaster of public growth as a teen idol to artist, husband, and now father, his religious beliefs are some of the most concrete and long-lasting ways to describe the artist publicly.

In December 2023, Justin and his wife Hailey Bieber became parents to their first child, Jack Blues Bieber. Bieber’s representatives told PEOPLE earlier this year that “parenthood has been the most life-altering experience” for the artist. The father has become his “greatest priority” as his family life with his wife and son has become the number one focus for the 31-year-old pop star. He’s been focused on continuing to develop his personal life and musical development, and cut ties from the “negative elements” in his life.

Hailey Bieber posted her own public post a few weeks back of a candid video of the artist in what looked like a relaxed, at-home environment. She shared the caption with fans, “love him,” but the body language in the video and Bieber’s appearance in the post got fans questioning the singer’s well-being and level of involvement with substances or hard drugs. He’s also long denied that his public health issues, including heart issues, were tied to substance use.

This year, a representative for Bieber told TMZ that, “The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is not true. He is in one of the best places in his life. He is focusing on his family, new music, and distancing himself from people and business entities that no longer share his values.” While the singer and his wife live in California, where recreational marijuana use is legal, other substance use, specifically when out in public, is where the conversation about public health and well-being comes into play.

A New Album and Tour? Updates

As Justin Bieber continues to make headlines, he also recently released his seventh studio album on July 11. Swag was a critical success. The album was described as a vulnerability, a meeting with self-reflection, and a sprinkling of inside jokes. Bieber recruited Druski, an internet personality, for interlude calls where he explains why he’s feeling low or frustrated, reminding fans that fame is a lot of pressure to deal with. The album comments on his previous public struggles and missteps, reaffirming his commitment to his wife and family, and finds him telling a very complex life story.

Fans are now wondering about another key component of Justin Bieber’s public appearances and announcements: tours. After the Justice World Tour was canceled in 2022, and just recently getting to live with his wife and newborn son in California, fans are in the doghouse about wanting more. Although some Australian fans are hopeful for new tour dates as early as August for the singer, the tour is still officially unconfirmed, as neither Justin Bieber nor Frontier Touring has said anything. Rolling Stone had reached out for a comment, and in response, Frontier Touring said, “Frontier Touring has no information on any planned Justin Bieber Australian tour dates and can’t comment further.”

Fans will just have to keep their eyes on his socials and what he shares in his music and with fans, as he remains silent about a return to touring. For now, Justin Bieber is being candid with fans about personal growth, staying grounded, releasing new music that represents this new point in life, and being with family. Whether he chose to be cryptic or serious with the recent post, which was just to throw it back with some classic DMX, or the thought of posting it crossed his mind and he forgot to hit the caption box, or just a video that he felt the same way and needed to repost — we think the internet.