Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in September 2012.
In a heartfelt interview, Pattie Mallette, the mother of global pop star Justin Bieber, shared the struggles and defining moments that shaped her life long before fame entered the picture. From surviving abuse to choosing to raise her son against the odds, her story is one of resilience and unwavering determination.
In her memoir Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom, Mallette speaks candidly about years of sexual abuse she endured as a teenager. The trauma left her with deep feelings of shame and self-blame, emotions she says are tragically common among survivors. “You carry this shame and feel like there’s something inherently wrong with you. I definitely carried that burden,” she revealed.
Her pain escalated into depression, substance abuse, and ultimately, a suicide attempt during her teens. Looking back, Mallette describes that moment as the culmination of years of hurt compounded by unhealthy coping mechanisms.
But at just 17 years old, life presented her with another turning point — pregnancy. Facing pressure to end the pregnancy, she made the life-changing decision to keep her baby. “I didn’t know how I was going to manage, but I was determined to do my best. I had to give him a chance,” she explained.
What followed would transform her life forever…
