LOS ANGELES: Pop star Justin Bieber has apologised to his fans for the sudden cancellation of the remainder of his world tour, saying he needed some rest after being on the road for two years.
His manager, Scooter Braun, also apologised but said the Canadian-born Bieber’s “soul and well-being” are the top priority.
Bieber’s decision to pull out of the remaining 14 dates of his “Purpose” world tour, citing only “unforeseen circumstances,” caused concern and frustration among his fans but also brought support, including from American singer-songwriter John Mayer.
Bieber, 23, had been on tour since March 2016, playing more than 150 dates around the world before cancelling the last shows in North America and Asia on Monday.
He told celebrity media who caught up with him in the southern California beach city of Santa Monica late on Monday that he was fine, and was looking forward to “just resting and getting some relaxation.”
“I’ve been on tour for two years,” Bieber added in the video, posted on celebrity news site TMZ.com.
“I love you guys, I think you guys are awesome. I’m sorry for anyone who feels, like, disappointed or betrayed, it’s not in my heart or anything and have a blessed day,” he said in a message to fans.
Braun, who discovered Bieber when he was 12, said in an Instagram posting late on Monday that Bieber “gave it all night after night.”
“On behalf of myself, Justin, and the team, we are sorry. 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 honour that,” Braun added.
Bieber, who has had several run-ins with the law after shedding his clean-cut teen image, was banned last week from performing in China for what authorities there called his bad behaviour.
Mayer gave Bieber credit for looking after his mental health. “When someone pulls remaining dates of a tour, it means they would have done real damage to themselves if they kept going. We’ve lost so many great artists lately. I give Justin (two thumbs up) for realising it was time to call it,” the “Gravity” singer wrote on Twitter.
Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath, however, said Bieber should have carried on. “I’m sure Justin has his reasons but you know being tired it’s not an excuse. You finish. People bought a ticket, they want to see it,” McGrath told TMZ.
