Dear Justin, I totally underestimated you! Please forgive me. To make it up to you I will be playing “U Smile” on repeat all day! This weekend was fun-filled, and one of the highlights was watching the the Justin Bieber movie, Never Say Never. Being older than the teen set and not watching too much TV, I knew of Justin Bieber but had no idea how truly talented he is. This movie, which chronicles his personal journey in a documentary style, was entertaining from start to finish and I would definitely recommend it to others. (Warning: spoilers below!)

While not following any strict timeline, Never Say Never shows Justin’s journey from a musically-inclined child to a pop superstar. There is plently of footage illustrating Justin’s talent developing at an early age which, for me, was the most eye-opening part of the movie. You watch as a young Justin bangs out a drum sequence on a chair with impeccable timing. Recognizing his ear for music, his supportive mother encourages him, buying him drum kits and guitars. The true innate talent of this young child is so obvious, breaking down any rumors or assumptions that he is just another fabricated illusion.

Throughout his early years Justin begins performing in his native Canada and even starts uploading YouTube videos to gain some exposure. Finding so much enjoyment in performing, Justin realizes that this is what he wants to do with his life. Scooter Braun, Justin’s manager, came upon these videos late one night and instantly became obsessed with the young boy’s potential, flying him out to Atlanta and eventually helping Justin and his mother move out to Georgia from Canada.

Early on, it was a struggle to find the best way to market Justin’s music. The team was often told to approach Disney or Nickelodeon to ensure exposure to the right age demographic. Focusing on the loyalty of Justin’s fans, Scooter booked Justin to play at every radio station and event that he could find, relying on the word-of-mouth and social media potential of the youth. As an end result, Justin’s fans are super loyal, feeling a sense of ownership and as though they found him first.

Several years of hard work and perseverance has paid off for Justin and his team. With the help of his idol, Usher Raymond IV, and many other influential people, Justin’s career has skyrocketed over the past few years. Now at 16, he has the success that he had only dreamed of as a child. While watching this movie I was really blown away by Justin’s talent. A superb vocal range and enough determination for ten people, this teen truly deserves the success and attention he receives.

Whether you love his music or you just love a good underdog success story, “Never Say Never” is worth watching. I definitely enjoyed watching the live footage, the choreographed dancing, and the loyalty of his fans. I guess you could say, I have a case of Bieber Fever! Justin, you made me a Belieber!