Ah, Justin. You intrepid global ambassador. First you're out painting graffiti and showing up in strange beds in Brazil, then you're battling food poisoning and cutting shows short in Argentina. What will your tour face next? Ah, yes, just some standard flag desecration.
During a show in Buenos Aires this weekend, Justin Bieber was caught on video sweeping two Argentine flags off the stage with his foot and his microphone stand. While some singers might have taken the opportunity to hold the flag up and celebrate the country, Justin was unceremonious, prompting some concern from the local community, the AP reports:
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The video, titled "Justin Bieber barre el suelo con una bandera Argentina," which translates to "Justin Bieber sweeps the floor with an Argentine flag," can be seen above. According to the AP, insulting the Argentine flag is a crime punishable by up to four years in prison.
Perhaps he's making a bold political statement about Argentina's Dirty War (or an even bolder one about the country's claim to the British-owned Falkland Islands). Perhaps he was just having a bad day (that food poisoning sounded rough after all). Whatever the reason, Justin could use some good news.
As luck would have it, there is some. In an interview with Vibe published today, R. Kelly said he and Justin had worked together on a new song. Justin tweeted to confirm that the song would be coming out next week, giving us something to think about instead of exactly how Justin Bieber feels about President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner's current policies.
Now, we can have something else on our minds, like how they're telling us no even though our bodies are telling us yes. Look for the Kells/Bieber connection next week.
UPDATE: Justin took to Twitter tonight to address the complaints, graciously accepting the critiques but explaining he thought the item in question was a shirt. He was apologetic and open, expressing his desire to return to Argentina:
heard about what is going on with me down in Argentina and im shocked. I love Argentina and have had some of the best shows of my tour there
people throw stuff on my stage all show and i get it to the stage hands to get off so no one got hurt. that video i saw a bra and thought...
...it was a shirt. Im being told by my team it was a shirt but even if it was a flag I would never do anything to disrespect Argentina...
...or the people of Argentina or the fans. Im so sorry for anyone who took my actions the wrong way and I hope you can forgive this mistake
so once again to the people of Argentina. Im sorry if that was taken the wrong way and im sorry for my mistake. I hope u can accept this..
..and I loved my time there performing for you and look forward to coming back. I gave my all and I know the fans did there too. te amo
I would never do anything to disrespect my fans. I dont like having to defend myself but this time it was needed as I mean no disrespect
so it is all love all around the world. thanks
