Growing up in the public eye is a weird, distorted experiment. Most people have a "best friend" from third grade they still text on birthdays. For Justin Bieber, friendship has never been that simple. Imagine trying to figure out who actually likes you versus who likes the fact that you can sell out Madison Square Garden. It's a lot.
Honestly, the way we talk about his inner circle is usually way off. We focus on the "swagger" and the parties, but the reality is way more intense.
The High Stakes of Being Justin's Friend
Lately, things have been kind of rocky in the Bieber camp. You might have seen those headlines from 2025 about him "clearing house." It wasn't just industry rumors. Sources close to the singer started leaking that people were "walking on eggshells" around him.
Why? Because Justin has been getting brutally honest about what he calls "transactional relationships."
He’s over it.
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He recently posted a screenshot of a text exchange where he officially ended a friendship because the person accused him of "lashing out." Justin’s take was pretty raw: "If you don’t like my anger, you don’t like me." He sees his emotions as a response to years of trauma, not just a celebrity tantrum. If you can’t handle the mess, you’re out.
It sounds harsh. But when you’ve been used as a "product" since you were 13, your tolerance for fake energy hits zero. He’s looking for something real, even if it means his circle gets smaller and smaller.
Jaden Smith and the "Real" Ones
If there is one person who has stayed solid, it’s Jaden Smith. This isn’t just a "Never Say Never" nostalgia trip. They are actually tight.
Think about why that works. Jaden grew up with famous parents. He didn't need Justin’s fame or money to get into a club. He already had it. That removes the power struggle that ruins most celebrity bonds.
They’ve been spotted everywhere from Coachella to quiet dinners in Malibu with Hailey. Justin has even called Jaden his "brother" and "best friend" in heartfelt posts, praising Jaden's "constant efforts to make the world better." It’s one of the few relationships that doesn't seem to have a hidden agenda.
The New Guard: The Kid LAROI
Then you have The Kid LAROI. This started with a simple DM—Justin telling him "You've got the sauce."
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But it turned into something much deeper than a "Stay" collaboration. LAROI has been vocal about how Justin checks in on him every single day. Not just to talk business, but to ask, "How are you feeling? Are you good?"
Justin has basically stepped into a "big bro" role here. He’s trying to guide the younger artist through the same landmines that nearly blew up his own life. It’s a mentor-protege dynamic that feels more like a chosen family.
The Pastor Paradox: Judah Smith
You can't talk about Justin Bieber friendship without mentioning Judah Smith. This is where things get complicated.
For years, Judah and his wife Chelsea have been the Biebers' spiritual bedrock. They’ve been role models for a "healthy marriage." But recently, some of Justin’s old friends—like Ryan Good, his former stylist—have expressed serious concern.
Good even went so far as to suggest Justin might be in a "cult-like" situation, noting that the inner circle has shrunk to almost nobody except the church leadership.
Is it a safe haven or a cage?
It depends on who you ask. To Justin, this community is the only thing that keeps him grounded. To outsiders who’ve been cut off, it looks like isolation. It’s a classic case of how fame forces people to choose between the world they knew and a "sanctuary" that might be equally restrictive.
Why the "Circle" Keep Changing
Justin is currently in a phase where he’s prioritizing privacy and "authenticity" above everything else. He’s a dad now. He’s protecting Jack and Hailey.
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He’s moved away from the "yes-men" who defined his 20s.
We saw him distance himself from Scooter Braun in 2024. That wasn't just a business move; it was a friendship divorce. He wants people around him who share his values, not just his bank account.
What We Can Learn from the Bieber Fallout
- Boundaries aren't mean. Even if they feel explosive at first, cutting off "transactional" people is a survival skill.
- Find your "Jaden." Look for people who have their own thing going on and don't need you for status.
- Check-ins matter. Doing what Justin does for LAROI—the daily "you okay?"—is how you actually maintain a bond.
The reality of Justin Bieber's friendships in 2026 is that they are sparse. He’s broken. He’s admitted that. And he’s only keeping people around who are willing to sit with him in that brokenness rather than trying to "fix" him for the sake of the brand.
If you’re looking to apply this to your own life, start by auditing your "transactional" friends. If the fame or the fun stopped tomorrow, who’s still texting you just to see if you’re good? Those are the ones worth the "eggshells."
Focus on quality over quantity. Surround yourself with people who respect your history but don't hold your trauma against you. That’s the only way to stay sane in a world that constantly wants a piece of you.