Note: This story was originally reported in September 2012.
In a deeply personal interview, Pattie Mallette, the mother of pop star Justin Bieber, shared the life-changing challenges she faced as a teenager, including surviving abuse and making the difficult decision to keep her baby despite intense pressure to choose otherwise.
Before becoming a mother, Mallette endured years of sexual abuse, an experience she discusses openly in her memoir, Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom. She has spoken about the lasting shame and self-blame many survivors carry, admitting those feelings deeply affected her.
The emotional toll eventually led to a suicide attempt during her teenage years, which she later described as the result of long-term trauma, depression, and substance abuse.At just 17 years old, Mallette became pregnant with Justin. She faced strong pressure to terminate the pregnancy but ultimately decided to continue it.
“I didn’t know how I was going to manage,” she said, “but I knew I had to give him a chance.”That choice shaped the rest of her life. As a young, single mother, Mallette struggled but remained determined. She has often recalled the moment Justin was born, describing his first cry as unforgettable and filled with hope.
Mallette’s journey—from a painful past to raising one of the world’s most famous pop stars—is a powerful story of resilience, faith, and unconditional love. Her memoir offers a raw look at her struggles and her commitment to giving her son the best life she could, even when the future felt uncertain.