Before her own career took off, Madison Beer was like millions of other teenagers with a pop star obsession, and that star was Justin Bieber.
The 26-year-old singer shared a fond memory from her childhood during an appearance on TV Podknust podcast on Thursday, Jan. 22, where she reflected on how Bieber once played a surprising role in her life long before she discovered his music.
While discussing her new album Medallionwho draws inspiration from her younger self, asked host Penn Badgley who might have held a special place in her heart at age 12.
“Obviously, Justin Bieber,” Beer admitted.
“If you scroll all the way down to my Instagram, one of my first posts was literally a cardboard cutout of him in my room.” She added with a laugh that he was “definitely my obsession” at the time.
That childhood admiration would soon turn into a life-changing moment.
In 2012, Bieber shared a video of Beer singing Etta James’ Eventuallya post that quickly thrust her into the limelight.
Looking back, Beer said the attention felt overwhelming at first.
She recalled “freaking out” before trying to return to her normal routine, not realizing how much her life was about to change.
What followed was a quick journey that included meeting Bieber and eventually signing with him.
Beer described the experience as surreal, noting how incredible it felt for someone who once had his cardboard cutout hanging in his bedroom.
“For a girl who would have had him in her locket and a cardboard cutout in her room was crazy,” she said.
Years later, the connection has grown into a lasting bond. Last April, Beer spoke warmly about his relationship with Bieber and his wife, Hailey, in a digital cover story for Cosmopolitan.
“I love [Justin] and Hailey [Bieber] a lot,” she said, explaining how meaningful it feels that they’ve been in each other’s lives for so long.
Noting that she’s known Hailey since she was 10 and Justin since she was 12, she reflected on how much has changed now that they’re married and have a baby.
Beer also addressed being labeled “the female Justin Bieber”, explaining that the comparison largely stemmed from both artists being signed by Scooter Braun and sharing similar early paths online.
She pointed out that Bieber himself was still a teenager at the time and had yet to experience adulthood, adding that he too has been through a lot.
Beer released his latest studio album, Medallionon January 16, closing the loop on a journey that began with a teenage fan, a cardboard cutout and a moment that changed everything.
