Pop star Justin Bieber is seemingly denying reports that he abruptly cancelled the remainder of his Purpose World Tour to start a church — or that he did so for more general “religious reasons.”
“Did you cancel the concert due to religious reasons?” a paparazzo asked the singer on Tuesday, to which Bieber responded, “No.”
When the cameraman continued to pry and again asked why the rest of the tour was canned, Bieber responded, “You already know the reason.” Watch Bieber’s reaction here.
As Faithwire previously reported, Bieber shocked fans on Monday when his team announced that he will cancel the remainder of his Purpose World Tour dates, with the vague explanation given that the singer’s decision was made “due to unforeseen circumstances.”
But in the wake of the announcement, some said that Bieber might be stepping off the performance stage to focus more intently on his Christian faith — or to possibly launch his own church. That latter possibility was floated on Tuesday by Australia’s “Today Extra.”
WORLD EXCLUSIVE: An inside source revealed @JustinBieber cancelled his world tour to focus on his faith and start his own church. #9Today pic.twitter.com/BzZw1cnihC
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) July 25, 2017
“I am led to believe that the real reason he’s come off the road is because he wants to reconnect with his faith, and maybe even planning to start his own church,” reporter Richard Wilkins said on the show. “Whether he’s looking at teaming up with [Hillsong] … or starting his own church, we’re not quite sure … That’s the word from an inside source.”
Sources affiliated with Hillsong Church — a house of worship that Bieber has affiliations with — also reportedly told TMZ that the cancelation was rooted in the fact that Bieber had “rededicated his life to Christ.”
Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, did leave a few hints as to why the singer made his decision, taking to Instagram this week to thank fans and crew, alike, for a good tour run and to apologize for the disappointment some are feeling. He did mention Bieber’s “soul” in the statement, though there was no direct faith tie to the cancellation.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Justin Bieber will cancel the remainder of the Purpose World Tour concerts. Justin…
Posted by Justin Bieber on Monday, July 24, 2017
“To those that won’t be able to see it… on behalf of myself, Justin, and the team, we are sorry,” Braun wrote of the tour. “That was never our intent. But a man’s soul and well being I truly care about came first and we must all respect and honor that.”
Bieber, it seems, is denying that faith had anything to do with it at all. Read more about the tour cancellation here.
Faithwire has chronicled Bieber’s fascinating faith journey, one that appears to be growing by the day.