Justin Bieber apologizes for racist joke | CNN

Singer/songwriter Justin Bieber has had a huge career, but it's not been without some issues. Click through for a look back at some of the troubles he's had.

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In July 2017 <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/07/27/entertainment/justin-bieber-accident/index.html" target="_blank">police said</a> the singer struck a paparazzo with his truck while trying to drive away from an event in Beverly Hills. Video from the incident appeared to show Bieber attempting to aid the man he hit. No citations were issued.

In July 2017 police said the singer struck a paparazzo with his truck while trying to drive away from an event in Beverly Hills. Video from the incident appeared to show Bieber attempting to aid the man he hit. No citations were issued.

Bieber was <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/23/entertainment/justin-bieber-punch-fan/index.html" target="_blank">accused of allegedly punching a fan</a> in Barcelona in November 2016. Video of the incident appeared to show the singer's hand making contact with the young man's face which was bloodied after the fan leaned into Bieber's vehicle.

Bieber was accused of allegedly punching a fan in Barcelona in November 2016. Video of the incident appeared to show the singer's hand making contact with the young man's face which was bloodied after the fan leaned into Bieber's vehicle.

Mike Windle/Getty Images North America/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Bieber was found guilty in June 2015 of assault and careless driving, according to an Ontario court clerk. The charges stemmed from an August incident in which Bieber was arrested after his ATV collided with a minivan.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

In January 2014, Bieber was charged with driving under the influence in Miami, a case he settled in August <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/13/showbiz/justin-bieber-miami-plea/">by pleading guilty</a> to careless driving and resisting arrest. And he is on probation for a <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/09/showbiz/justin-bieber-vandalism/index.html">vandalism conviction</a> that resulted from egging a neighbor's home.

In January 2014, Bieber was charged with driving under the influence in Miami, a case he settled in August by pleading guilty to careless driving and resisting arrest. And he is on probation for a vandalism conviction that resulted from egging a neighbor's home.

Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department

Summer 2014 was anything but relaxing for Bieber. In June, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/04/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/justin-bieber-racist-video/index.html?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">the pop star was plagued </a>by the emergence of videos of himself as a young teen using racially offensive language. Then, in July, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/22/showbiz/justin-bieber-neighbor-complaints/index.html?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">his neighbors complained to police</a> that his house parties were inordinately noisy. Add the ATV accident in Ontario in August, and to round out his summer, there was a rumor that <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/30/showbiz/justin-bieber-orlando-bloom-feud/index.html?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">Bieber had gotten into an altercation</a> with actor Orlando Bloom.

Summer 2014 was anything but relaxing for Bieber. In June, the pop star was plagued by the emergence of videos of himself as a young teen using racially offensive language. Then, in July, his neighbors complained to police that his house parties were inordinately noisy. Add the ATV accident in Ontario in August, and to round out his summer, there was a rumor that Bieber had gotten into an altercation with actor Orlando Bloom.

Fame Pictures

If there was a bright spot in the summer of 2014, it came in June when <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/16/showbiz/justin-bieber-egging-charge/index.html?iref=allsearch">Bieber was cleared </a>in an attempted robbery case. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/12/showbiz/justin-bieber-robbery-probe/index.html" target="_blank">A woman had accused the singer</a> in May of trying to steal her cellphone, but the Los Angeles city attorney decided there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute the singer.

If there was a bright spot in the summer of 2014, it came in June when Bieber was cleared in an attempted robbery case. A woman had accused the singer in May of trying to steal her cellphone, but the Los Angeles city attorney decided there wasn't enough evidence to prosecute the singer.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella/File

In April, Bieber's antics prompted an online petition to have him deported from the country. The petition was hosted on the White House's website and received more than 273,000 signatures. Video of Bieber being a hostile witness during a deposition the month before likely didn't help sway the petitioners' perception of him as "dangerous and reckless."

From Justin Bieber/Shots

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/31/showbiz/justin-bieber-plane/index.html">searched Bieber's private airplane</a> -- thought to be the one pictured -- January 31, 2014, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Officers said they detected an odor of what seemed like marijuana after the plane landed, law enforcement sources told CNN. Drug-sniffing dogs were used to search the plane, according to one of the sources, but no sign of drugs were detected and no illegal substances were found. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/04/showbiz/justin-bieber-faa/index.html?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">The investigation was closed in July. </a>

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers searched Bieber's private airplane -- thought to be the one pictured -- January 31, 2014, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. Officers said they detected an odor of what seemed like marijuana after the plane landed, law enforcement sources told CNN. Drug-sniffing dogs were used to search the plane, according to one of the sources, but no sign of drugs were detected and no illegal substances were found. The investigation was closed in July.

ERIK S. LESSER/EPA/Landov

<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/29/showbiz/justin-bieber-toronto-arrest/index.html">Bieber turned himself in</a> at a Toronto police station on January 29, 2014, facing an assault charge stemming from an encounter with a limousine driver in December. But <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/08/showbiz/justin-bieber-charge-dropped/index.html">the charge was dropped</a> in September after prosecutors decided there was "no reasonable prospect" of convicting Bieber of striking his limo driver on the back of his head, said Brendan Crawley, a spokesman for the Ontario attorney general's office.

Bieber turned himself in at a Toronto police station on January 29, 2014, facing an assault charge stemming from an encounter with a limousine driver in December. But the charge was dropped in September after prosecutors decided there was "no reasonable prospect" of convicting Bieber of striking his limo driver on the back of his head, said Brendan Crawley, a spokesman for the Ontario attorney general's office.

Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press/AP

On January 23, 2014, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/23/showbiz/justin-bieber-arrest/index.html?hpt=hp_t1" target="_blank">Bieber was arrested on suspicion of DUI and drag racing,</a> according to police in Miami Beach, Florida. Bieber, seen here with model Chantel Jeffries the night before his arrest, eventually pleaded guilty of careless driving and resisting arrest. He also made a $50,000 donation to a youth charity as part of the plea deal.

On January 23, 2014, Bieber was arrested on suspicion of DUI and drag racing, according to police in Miami Beach, Florida. Bieber, seen here with model Chantel Jeffries the night before his arrest, eventually pleaded guilty of careless driving and resisting arrest. He also made a $50,000 donation to a youth charity as part of the plea deal.

Manuel Munoz/PacificCoastNews

On January 14, 2014, authorities swarmed Bieber's mansion in Calabasas, California, in connection with an investigation into a report of an egg-throwing incident at a neighbor's house. As part of a plea deal, Bieber was sentenced to two years' probation. He was also ordered to complete 12 weekly anger management sessions, work five days of community labor and pay $80,900 in restitution to his former neighbor.

Nick Ut/AP

Right before 2014 kicked off, Bieber threatened to retire after a spate of bad publicity, including being accused of everything from <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/10/03/bieber-wont-be-charged-for-alleged-spitting-speeding/">speeding to spitting.</a> The news made <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/showbiz/2013/12/26/lead-farley-bieber-intvw.cnn.html">Beliebers very sad</a>.

Right before 2014 kicked off, Bieber threatened to retire after a spate of bad publicity, including being accused of everything from speeding to spitting. The news made Beliebers very sad.

Nicky Loh/Getty Images/File

While on tour in early November 2013, Bieber yet again made headlines, this time with some sex-related scandal. The <a href="http://pagesix.com/2013/11/02/justin-bieber-busted-sneaking-out-of-brothel/" target="_blank" target="_blank">New York Post's Page Six</a> alleged that Bieber had been spotted exiting a brothel while in Brazil. Then, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCpaTwQ8gGM&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank" target="_blank">a YouTube video</a> sparked gossip that he'd done something less than innocent with the young woman featured in the clip. Bieber's camp has had no response on the chatter.

While on tour in early November 2013, Bieber yet again made headlines, this time with some sex-related scandal. The New York Post's Page Six alleged that Bieber had been spotted exiting a brothel while in Brazil. Then, a YouTube video sparked gossip that he'd done something less than innocent with the young woman featured in the clip. Bieber's camp has had no response on the chatter.

From Instagram/Justin Bieber

Was he saving his energy for his fans or just courting more controversy? In October 2013, the day after a concert in Beijing, Bieber was snapped letting his bodyguards carry him up the stairs at the Great Wall of China.

Twitter/BelieveTourUPD

A leaked video in July 2013 <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2013/07/10/justin-bieber-restaurant-mop-bucket-piss-pee-urinate-video-bill-clinton/" target="_blank" target="_blank">seemed to show Bieber relieving himself in a janitor's mop bucket</a> and then spraying a photo of Bill Clinton with what appeared to be a cleaner fluid while saying "F*** Bill Clinton." <a href="http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/07/11/bieber-calls-clinton-after-using-the-f-word/?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">Bieber later apologized to the former president</a>, but personalities like <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2013/03/28/showbiz/gallery/justin-bieber-2013/eatocracy.cnn.com/2013/07/25/batali-bourdain-butt-whuppings-and-justin-bieber/?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali had a field day.</a>

A leaked video in July 2013 seemed to show Bieber relieving himself in a janitor's mop bucket and then spraying a photo of Bill Clinton with what appeared to be a cleaner fluid while saying "F*** Bill Clinton." Bieber later apologized to the former president, but personalities like Anthony Bourdain and Mario Batali had a field day.

X17Online

In June 2013, another chapter was added to Bieber's history book of driving drama. The singer was <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/18/showbiz/celebrity-news-gossip/justin-bieber-accident/index.html">reportedly involved</a> in a Los Angeles accident involving a pedestrian.

In June 2013, another chapter was added to Bieber's history book of driving drama. The singer was reportedly involved in a Los Angeles accident involving a pedestrian.

X17Online

As Bieber accepted the Milestone Award at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2013, "very loud boos" competed with "very loud cheers," <a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop-shop/1563031/justin-bieber-booed-at-billboard-music-awards-understanding-the" target="_blank" target="_blank">the magazine reported. </a>

As Bieber accepted the Milestone Award at the Billboard Music Awards in May 2013, "very loud boos" competed with "very loud cheers," the magazine reported.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images/File

Earlier in May 2013, a fan rushed Bieber on stage and <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/06/world/irpt-storify-bieber-dubai-fan/index.html">attempted to grab him</a> during a concert in the United Arab Emirates. Also that month, a safe in a stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/world/africa/south-africa-bieber-theft/index.html?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">was raided after a Bieber performance. </a>

Earlier in May 2013, a fan rushed Bieber on stage and attempted to grab him during a concert in the United Arab Emirates. Also that month, a safe in a stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, was raided after a Bieber performance.

Bongiwe Gumede/Foto24/Gallo Images/Getty Images

In April 2013, Bieber visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam -- <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/14/showbiz/bieber-anne-frank/index.html?iref=allsearch">and was promptly criticized for saying</a> that he hoped the teen, who died in a Nazi concentration camp in 1945, would have been a "Belieber." Visitors to the Anne Frank Facebook page had plenty to say. "Glad he went, but, the last sentence is VERY self serving. he missed the lessons of Anne totally," wrote one observer.

In April 2013, Bieber visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam -- and was promptly criticized for saying that he hoped the teen, who died in a Nazi concentration camp in 1945, would have been a "Belieber." Visitors to the Anne Frank Facebook page had plenty to say. "Glad he went, but, the last sentence is VERY self serving. he missed the lessons of Anne totally," wrote one observer.

X17Online

Bieber lost his pet monkey, Mally, when the capuchin <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/01/world/europe/germany-bieber-monkey/index.html?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">was taken by custom officials in Germany</a> at the end of March 2013. Mally is shown here in the quarantine station at the Munich-Riem animal shelter in Munich.

Bieber lost his pet monkey, Mally, when the capuchin was taken by custom officials in Germany at the end of March 2013. Mally is shown here in the quarantine station at the Munich-Riem animal shelter in Munich.

FELIX HOERHAGER/EPA /LANDOV

Unfortunately for Bieber, his 19th birthday in March 2013 was kind of a downer. After being snubbed by the Grammys, Bieber headed for London to celebrate his big day. But it ended up being what he tweeted was his "worst birthday." Not only was he ragged on by actress Olivia Wilde for going shirtless in the city, he also had a bit of beef with a "weak a** club."

Fame Pictures

Bieber <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/03/05/showbiz/justin-bieber-london/index.html?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">ticked off his fans in March</a> 2013 after he showed up a reported two hours late to a concert at London's O2 Arena. He disputed that in a tweet, however, saying he was only 40 minutes behind schedule.

Bieber ticked off his fans in March 2013 after he showed up a reported two hours late to a concert at London's O2 Arena. He disputed that in a tweet, however, saying he was only 40 minutes behind schedule.

JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images

Bieber later wound up sick in a London hospital. Being a lusted-after star, it's not surprising that he tried to show how "well" he felt by posting a shirtless photo of himself online.

Courtesy Instagram

Bieber and photographers, we've learned by now, don't mix. As he exited the hospital at the end of his turbulent week, the singer got into a shouting match with a paparazzo in London, telling the photographer that he'd "f*** him up."

Fame Pictures

After he was <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/03/11/olivia-wilde-talks-beliebers-hilarious-abuse/">ragged on by Wilde</a> for going topless in London, Bieber strolled through a Polish airport terminal sans shirt on March 25, 2013.

After he was ragged on by Wilde for going topless in London, Bieber strolled through a Polish airport terminal sans shirt on March 25, 2013.

AGENCJA GAZETA/Reuters /Landov

At the end of January 2013, a Twitpic appearing to show the singer touching a female fan's chest went viral. <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/30/rep-fan-brush-off-talk-of-biebers-straying-hand/?iref=allsearch" target="_blank">Both the "Belieber"</a><a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/01/30/rep-fan-brush-off-talk-of-biebers-straying-hand/?iref=allsearch" target="_blank"> and Bieber's rep denied</a> he was touching her breast.

At the end of January 2013, a Twitpic appearing to show the singer touching a female fan's chest went viral. Both the "Belieber" and Bieber's rep denied he was touching her breast.

From Twitter/JocelynnBieber

In January 2013, Bieber was photographed holding what <a href="http://www.tmz.com/2013/01/04/justin-bieber-marijuana-pot-blunt-smoking-picture-photo/" target="_blank" target="_blank">TMZ</a> identified as marijuana. He poked fun of the incident when he hosted <a href="http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/02/11/justin-bieber-hosts-snl-whats-the-verdict/" target="_blank">"Saturday Night Live" </a>in February. "I also heard he got busted for smoking weed and he's really sorry about it and that people make mistakes and that he's never going to do it again," Bieber said while playing a character during a skit with Vanessa Bayer.

In January 2013, Bieber was photographed holding what TMZ identified as marijuana. He poked fun of the incident when he hosted "Saturday Night Live" in February. "I also heard he got busted for smoking weed and he's really sorry about it and that people make mistakes and that he's never going to do it again," Bieber said while playing a character during a skit with Vanessa Bayer.

NBC

On New Year's Day in 2013, a photographer <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/02/showbiz/california-bieber-paparazo-death/index.html">was killed crossing the street</a> after taking pictures of Bieber's Ferrari. Bieber, who wasn't present at the scene, said in a statement: "While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim."

On New Year's Day in 2013, a photographer was killed crossing the street after taking pictures of Bieber's Ferrari. Bieber, who wasn't present at the scene, said in a statement: "While I was not present nor directly involved with this tragic accident, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim."

REUTERS /GENE BLEVINS /LANDOV

Justin Bieber's troubled timeline

Story highlights

TMZ posts video of 15-year-old Justin Bieber telling a racist joke

Now 20, he says he's sorry for the "childish and inexcusable mistake"

Bieber: "I was a kid then and I am a man now who knows my responsibility to the world"

CNN —

Justin Bieber was in serious damage control mode Sunday after a video of him telling a racist joke to friends surfaced.

In the video, posted to TMZ.com, the pop star, then 15, asks: “Why are black people afraid of chain saws?”

He answers his own question: “Run n*****, n*****, n*****, n*****,” he says, imitating the sound of a chain saw. Then he laughs.

TMZ reported it got the video four years ago but decided against posting it then becaus