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Justin Bieber - Source: ONE News -
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Hear that? That is the sweet sound of silence. The hush that has settled over the country since Justin Bieber left our fair shores.
If I had my way, it would be a permanent fixture. New Zealand would be nuclear-free and Bieber-free - and the rest of the world would respect us for it.
The past week has been total madness because of the pint-sized singer. I have witnessed scenes no person should ever see.
I have seen girls scream, cry and shriek at the mere thought of Bieber. I have seen boys and girls hang out of windows to get a glimpse of his blacked out van.
I have seen people fall over and get trampled. And I have seen their bruises.
As one colleague put it, it makes you feel disgusted to be a human being.
At least in New Zealand, the record company attempted to contain the mania with a strictly controlled private performance.
It didn't stop dozens of teenagers bunking off school to stalk the Bieb - but at least we avoided the thousands-strong crush of his Sydney appearance, which saw at least eight people injured.
To those who say it's all just a bit of harmless fun - try telling that to the Sydney girl with two fractured kneecaps. Or the one who was knocked out and suffered a serious concussion.
But what disgusts me, isn't the fans. Teenage girls have always been - and will always be - obsessive and over-excitable.
Justin Bieber is not the first skinny little runt to send hearts aflutter. He's just the Hanson of this decade.
What really disgusts me is his management. The people who have deliberately plotted to get his name in the limelight - at the potential expense of his fans' safety.
Their strategy essentially consists of choosing small, public venues where over-crowding will quickly become an issue. They then spread news of the "surprise" appearance and cause a genuine safety issue that requires the event to be shut down - angering the fans and creating headline news.
Mainstream media would never have known who Justin Bieber was, were it not for such stunts. But as soon as people - particularly young people - are injured, it becomes bona fide news.
Bieber's manager Scooter Braun was charged with reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance after a mall appearance got out of control in Long Island last year.
Those are serious charges.
Celebrities far bigger and more successful than Bieber don't face these issues. They don't publicise their every movement and leak details of their appearances.
They don't encourage their young fans - who don't know any better - to show up at public places, where there may be no security or crowd control.
Bieber is just a pawn in their sick publicity game.
Our entertainment reporter's guide to all things Bieber
How much do you love Justin? Or how much do you not?!
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Post new commentiamanonymous said on 2010-04-30 @ 14:56 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hes not 12, hes 16 so theres no pedophilia going on. Although i agree that the aggresiveness of some girls were inappropiate, and he probably doesnt WANT to come back to NZ now anyway.
mavarick said on 2010-04-30 @ 14:13 NZDT: Report abusive post
He is a You Tube baby with no real talent. Like another reader aluded to, the media stunts are pathetic and the media should also take some responsibility.
Nostranormus said on 2010-04-30 @ 13:08 NZDT: Report abusive post
What a waste of air time!!.. Annoys that people get carried away with something/ someone of 'who gives a sh@# talent'. More important things in the world. Just because he's somehow portrayed as the next big thing...theres' al this attention...pop drivel at best.
stephenfalepau said on 2010-04-29 @ 14:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
I was watchin news! And my parents dont like Bieber but agree that he would say thanks 2 give the hat back. What is wrong with those chicks that stole his hat. Pushin Justin mum over! What! He is just a normal person that should be treated with good respect. Im glad I am not the person that stole his hat cos it is still theft. Boyy!!!
perturbed said on 2010-04-28 @ 19:07 NZDT: Report abusive post
Those girls were big bullies when they pinched a hat from a younger smaller person (regardless of how cute Justin Bieber is). Our schools need to develop better anti-bullying and anti-harassment programmes so that teenagers learn that it's not OK to be a bully.