"Bieber-Mania" hits the Crescent city. Can even New Orleans survive his impact?

Justin Beiber flashing a heavy metal sign

By: Alex Templar - MSTv Correspondant

Youtube success story and teen girl heartthrob, Justin Bieber,  will be performing at the New Orleans Arena on 1/15.  The little "uber-kid: has been involved in a fair amount of non-music drama, since his discovery in 2007, to rival even the most jaded of hard-partying rock musicians.  One has to ask, will his visit to the "Big Easy" add yet another headline to his already impressive resume of antics?

Let's take a look at some of the mayhem the "Bieb" has been involved in:: a paparazzi photographer killed while pursuing Bieber’s white Ferrari (Bieber was not in it); caught on video throwing up onstage. 

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He was hit with a paternity suit, which was dropped and was sued for claims that he’s liable for hearing loss a fan incurred at one of his concerts.  Plus the most recent scandal, photos of young Justin allegedly smoking marijuana..  My word, a teenaged pop idol in the practice of smoking cannabis? Shocker!!!  What ever will his fans think of this behaviour??? 
Actually, who cares what he does?  He's 18, is a "star" for the most part and if he pushes the envelope too much, we can always deport him!!  (Oh yeah, about that - -he's Canadian.  In case you didn't know.)

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Bieber’s adulthood was announced in July 2012, via his second Rolling Stone cover (emblazoned with the text “Hot, Ready, Legal") He’ll also be releasing his album “Believe” this year.  Early reviews of it have critics seeming to agree that the young star is transitioning nicely into musical adulthood - exploring R&B leanings with a hint of grown-up sauciness on songs like the lead single “Boyfriend.”  (Check it out below)

Though “Believe” achieved platinum sales, it was a surprise to many that the album was passed over for any Grammy nominations. Via Twitter, Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun opined that the snub was due to the album’s “transitional” nature, between teen pop and grown-up R&B.

“Believe” indicates that Bieber has the talent to go the distance – time will tell if the industry and his fans will let him. Right now, the odds don't look bad.

Now with his 19th birthday not far away, Justin Beiber has the laid-back, but hedonistic environment of New Orleans in his sights.  With his ever growing dramas and stardom, can we ask on January 16th, "will New Orleans corrupt Beiber further?  Or will that be vise-versa??  

Hmm, see you on the 16th.  Maybe...