Kaylah Walton
Justin Bieber‘s once-vast circle of friends seems to be diminishing, sparking worries about his mental well-being and the increasing sway of Churchome pastor Judah Smith. This leads many to ask: Is the pop sensation part of a cult?
Bieber has been linked to Churchome, a prominent megachurch in Los Angeles led by Smith, since around 2010. The church frequently attracts celebrity followers and has come under scrutiny for its practices.
A recent documentary titled What Happened to Justin Bieber examines his ties to the church, which some have described as functioning more like a “cult” than a conventional worship space.
The film highlights Bieber’s distancing from former close friends and collaborators, particularly his past associate Ryan Good, indicating a possible deepening influence from Smith.
Ryan Good, a prominent figure in Bieber’s life and a key player in his wedding, has reportedly distanced from Churchome after feeling uneasy about its dynamics, leading to a fallout with the singer.
The documentary further claims that Bieber and Smith confronted both Scooter Braun and Good, questioning Braun about his faith and probing Good regarding his personal circumstances.
Despite rising concerns, Smith has responded to the speculation, stating, “What kind of cult only meets once a month?”
Concerns Regarding Bieber’s Mental Health
Bieber’s mental health has reportedly become a significant worry for former associates throughout 2025, with Good expressing his concerns after observing erratic behavior during the Coachella music festival.
Furthermore, increasingly emotional social media posts, in which he appears to “plead with God for assistance,” have intensified concerns. These signs of distress, along with his public retreat and dependence on Churchome, depict an artist in a vulnerable situation.
Adding to the complexity is Bieber’s past affiliation with Sean “Diddy” Combs, who now faces numerous criminal allegations related to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse impacting over 100 individuals, including minors.
A resurfaced video showing their relationship when Bieber was underage has reignited speculation about their connection, which the documentary mentions as another key moment in Bieber’s apparent downslide.
However, sources close to Bieber have insisted that he was never a victim of Combs, and the singer’s representatives have firmly denied any wrongdoing.
“While Justin is not among the individuals harmed by Sean Combs,” his team stated, “there are victims who have been legitimately affected.”
“Diverting attention from this truth undermines the justice these victims rightly deserve.”
Combs is currently facing trial in New York on five criminal charges, including conspiracy and sex trafficking offenses. He denies all accusations.
