Before the flashing lights, record deals, and screaming fans, there was a 17-year-old girl named Pattie Mallette. Her world had already been turned upside down by childhood trauma, addiction, and heartbreak. Then came the news that she was pregnant. Alone, broke, and broken—many told her she couldn’t do it. They said giving up the baby was her only option.
But Pattie didn’t follow the script.
“I just knew I couldn’t,” she later said. “I had to do my best, no matter how hard it was going to be.” That one choice—one that required pure courage—changed the course of music history.
Video: Justin Bieber – Peaches ft. Daniel Caesar, Giveon
Pattie’s childhood was steeped in pain. Her parents split when she was young, and her father moved far away, leaving an emotional void. Worse still, between the ages of five and ten, she endured years of sexual abuse—scars that would follow her into adulthood.
By her teenage years, Pattie was trapped in a cycle of self-destruction. She turned to drugs, battled depression, and at her lowest moment, she attempted suicide. But somehow, she kept breathing. And when she discovered she was pregnant, the instinct to protect her baby gave her a new reason to fight.
Raising a child as a single teenage mom was never going to be easy. Pattie worked entry-level office jobs while living in government housing in Stratford, Ontario. They had no extras. Even something as small as a soda at a restaurant was out of reach.
Justin would later say, “I remember sitting in restaurants with my mom, and she’d make me order water instead of soda. I remember so badly wanting to order a soda.”
But despite those limitations, Pattie created a home filled with love. She nurtured Justin’s curiosity and creativity—even when money was tight. And in that small-town setting, something remarkable began to unfold.
From an early age, Justin had music running through his veins. He taught himself to play drums, piano, guitar, and trumpet. His mom didn’t have the money for lessons, but she had faith—and that turned out to be enough.
At just 12 years old, Justin performed in a local talent competition and earned second place. Pattie filmed his performance and uploaded it to YouTube so friends and family could watch. What happened next was beyond anything they could have imagined.
People around the world started watching. Pattie began uploading more videos—covers of popular songs—and Justin’s viewership exploded. His voice, his energy, his charm—it all pointed to one thing: this kid was a star waiting to happen.
Video: Justin Bieber – First time on Television – 100 Huntley Street
By 15, Justin had landed his first record deal. Fame followed fast.
As Justin skyrocketed into global stardom, the pressures mounted. Life in the spotlight came with temptations, criticism, and constant eyes watching his every move. And as fame took hold, his bond with his mom began to fray.
Justin admitted it himself: “My relationship with my mom was pretty nonexisting. I was distant because I was ashamed. I never wanted my mom to be disappointed in me, and I knew she was.”
The two didn’t speak much for nearly two years. The headlines were harsh. The relationship, once built on sacrifice and support, became a casualty of fame. But neither gave up on the other.
In 2018, Pattie and Justin went on a tropical vacation—no PR, no cameras, just time to heal. Pattie later said, “I feel like he’s growing up, and I’m really proud of him.”
That moment was the beginning of a deeper reconnection. Justin started to prioritize his mental health and repair what fame had broken—including his relationship with his mom.
And he never forgot what she gave up for him. “I used my first big paycheck to take care of my mom,” he said. “She was always there for me. I wanted to give back.”
Today, Justin Bieber is more than a singer. He’s one of the best-selling artists of all time, with hits like “Peaches,” “Sorry,” and “Love Yourself.” He’s also a husband and a father. Since 2018, he’s been married to model Hailey Baldwin Bieber, and in 2024, they welcomed their first child, Jack Blues Bieber.
Justin continues to credit his mom for her resilience, especially during their toughest years. And even after years apart, he also repaired his relationship with his father, Jeremy Bieber, who now plays an active role in his life.
Video:
Justin Bieber – Ghost
Pattie’s story didn’t stop with Justin’s success. She wrote a powerful memoir, Nowhere but Up, where she opened up about her past—abuse, addiction, trauma—and how she found strength in motherhood. Her story wasn’t just about survival. It was about turning pain into purpose.
She now speaks publicly to help others overcome shame and find healing. “I’ve learned it’s normal for anyone who’s been through abuse to carry shame and blame,” she shared. Her message? You’re not alone, and you can make it through.
Pattie also stepped into acting and producing, with credits in inspirational projects like To Write Love on Her Arms. Today, she continues to inspire others with her honesty, her faith, and her determination.
Pattie Mallette wasn’t supposed to raise a global pop icon. The odds were stacked against her. But her decision to keep fighting—through trauma, poverty, and judgment—made all the difference.
She raised Justin Bieber with love, grit, and faith. And while he became a household name, she became the quiet force behind the scenes who never stopped believing.
Behind every global success, there’s often an unseen hero. In Justin’s story, that hero is his mom.
