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Justin Bieber criticizes award shows for lack of 'authenticity' after winning at BMAs

"These award shows seem so hollow," the singer complained.

By Annie Martin
Justin Bieber at the Grammy Awards on February 15. The singer won two awards at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 3 | Justin Bieber at the Grammy Awards on February 15. The singer won two awards at the Billboard Music Awards on Sunday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

LOS ANGELES, May 23 (UPI) -- Justin Bieber says award shows don't give him a genuine feeling of accomplishment.

The 22-year-old Canadian singer criticized the ceremonies in a lengthy Instagram post Monday after performing and winning two awards at the 2016 Billboard Awards the night before.

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"I don't know about these award shows. No disrespect to anybody at any of the shows or the people running it, but I don't feel good when I'm there nor after," he said. "I try to think of it as a celebration but can't help feeling like people are rating and grading my performance."

"These award shows seem so hollow. Because when I look in the audience I see a bunch of fake smiles so that when the camera hits them they look happy," Bieber continued. "Sure there are people truly proud of others so I don't want to knock them I'm just looking at the vast majority."

"I just think to myself if I'm living my purpose I want the reward to be fulfillment," the star explained. "I am privileged and honored to be recognized by my peers but in these settings I can't feel the recognition. There's an authenticity missing that I crave! And I wonder does anybody else."

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Bieber was nominated for 11 awards at the ceremony and walked away with Top Male Artist and Top Social Media Artist. The singer also performed the songs "Company" and "Sorry" from his fourth studio album, Purpose.

I don't know about these award shows.. No disrespect to anybody at any of the shows or the people running it. Nothing but love for you guys and your support. But I don't feel good when I'm there nor after. I try to think of it as a celebration but can't help feeling like people are rating and grading my performance. A lot of people in the audience there to be seem worried about how much camera time they will get or who they can network with. When I'm doing a regular show I feel they are there for the right reasons and to strictly have a good time! But these award shows seem so hollow. I get the premise is to award people for their accomplishments, but is it really? Because when I look in the audience I see a bunch of fake smiles so that when the camera hits them they look happy. Sure there are people truly proud of others so I don't want to knock them I'm just looking at the vast majority. I just think to myself if I'm living my purpose I want the reward to be fulfillment. I'm getting awarded for the things that I'm doing and not for who I am which is understandable I know it would probably be hard to calculate and award someone's spirit lol. But When I do get these awards the temptation of putting my worth in what I do is so hard to fight!!!I am privileged and honored to be recognized by my peers in but in these settings I can't feel the recognition. There's an authenticity missing that I crave! And I wonder does anybody else.. Sorry not sorry about grammar it's not my strong point

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A photo posted by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on

Bieber's rep told People last week the star is doing "totally fine" despite his seeming frustration. The "What Do You Mean?" singer canceled all future fan meet-and-greets on his Purpose tour in March and declared he's "done" taking photos with fans this month.

"It has gotten to the point that people won't even say hi to me or recognize me as a human, I feel like a zoo animal, and I wanna be able to keep my sanity," the star explained of his decision to not take pictures.

Bieber released Purpose in November and kicked off his accompanying tour March 9. The singer is presently on a three-week break before resuming the tour June 11 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in central Canada.

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