I'm an adult Justin Bieber fan.
That almost feels like some kind of dirty confession to make, except I'll tell anyone who asks and I'm sure the world is full of secret Bieber fans.
I might actually go so far as to say some of you, our dear readers, are Bieber fans and don't know it.
If you've found yourself singing along to that song "Love Yourself" — which has been steadily pumped over the airwaves for months — you're a Bieber fan.
Or at least a fan of that song, which doesn't carry the pop brand many associate with the blonde-haired, now-tattooed crooner. In fact, it was penned with assistance from the world's favorite ginger, musician Ed Sheeran.
It takes a certain confidence to own-up to the notion that I'm a fan of the Biebs (and have been for years!) without being a 20-year-old female or whoever the general public defines as his traditional fan base.
Bieber is gracing Orlando with his presence when his Justin Bieber: Purpose World Tour stops at Amway Center on June 30. And, sadly, no, I'm not going to be in the mash of screaming fans.
It bears repeating: I'm an adult and that fact came with me choosing to pay my mortgage over buying the only tickets I could get access to (the expensive ones) after they went on sale last fall.
More importantly, I'm happy to report I'm not the only Central Floridian dealing with the social stigma of belonging to this fandom.
Enter Ricky Vanderoef, a 28-year-old Orlando man who doesn't shy away from his love of the Biebs.
Vanderoef said he "truly became a Belieber" when the singer's Purpose album was released in November. It's not uncommon for Vanderoef and his roommate, Andrew O'Brien, to listen to the album on repeat, losing themselves in the music.
I have dealt with collective eye rolls and questions asking me how and why I could be such a fan of Bieber. I simply shut down the haters telling them his music is incredibly catchy and to, politely, go "love yourself."
For Vanderoef, however, the line of questions he deals with aren't necessarily about the artist's music. They're not even about how he's a 28-year-old hockey-loving dude with an affinity for Bieber.
"There is a perception that he is kind of a d-bag in real life and I shouldn't like him because of it," said Vanderoef.
He defends Bieber, saying the singer's just lost in translation.
"I just tend to see him as country-club bad boy who is misunderstood," he said. "Which causes him to lash out sometimes."
Yeah, Vanderoef's love of Bieber is deep. Oh, and don't get him started about the 22-year-old's voice, which he says "could soothe a famished polar bear."
If I'm being honest, I asked Vanderoef if his responses to my questions were sincere because I was worried I was being punked. He assures me they're 100 percent accurate and he's a true fan.
"I feel it is my duty to recruit people aggressively to become Beliebers and some people do not like my enthusiastic methods," he said.
So, what are these so-called methods? "The most effective is just making people listen to his music over and over again and they cannot resist 'cause he is amazing," he said.
My method of choice sending videos on Snapchat of me rocking out to Bieber's hits at my house … in my car … in the grocery store … You can tell where I'm going with this.
There you have it, folks. I'm a Belieber and I'm not alone. And you're not alone either. Come to terms with the fact you may actually like Bieber and let the power of his sweet vocals wash over you.
"Is it too late now to say sooooorry?"
Just kidding. I'm not sorry.
cdineen@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5414
Justin Bieber
What: Purpose World Tour with special guests Post Malone and Moxi Raia
When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, June 30
Where: Amway Center, 400 W. Church St., Orlando
Tickets: Sold out
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