Justin Bieber’s Remarks on Protecting Billie Eilish Reignite Following Diddy’s Arrest

Justin Bieber’s 2020 interview about wanting to "protect" Billie Eilish from the music industry has resurfaced in light of Sean "Diddy" Combs' recent arrest for alleged sex crimes. In the emotional interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Bieber reflected on his own experiences as a young artist, starting at age 14, when he signed with Usher, who was mentored by Combs. Bieber, now 30, said, “I just want to protect her. I don’t want her to go through anything I went through,” referencing Eilish, who was 18 at the time.

Although Bieber didn’t directly mention Combs, the resurfacing of his comments coincides with Combs’ indictment on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. Many social media users have drawn connections between Bieber's experiences and his association with Combs during his early career. In a previous video, Combs described his time with a 15-year-old Bieber as “a 15-year-old’s dream,” which has also gained renewed attention.

Billie Eilish thanked Bieber at the time by posting his interview clip on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for his support. Combs remains in custody while awaiting trial.