Bieber starts Michael Jackson-like chaos in Norway
Quote:
Justin Bieber's free concert Wednesday in Oslo, Norway did some serious damage.
While the Red Cross Norway's Facebook page said first aid was provided for 78 people and water was given to many dehydrated children, E! News talked to Camilla Bjorn, a VGTV reporter in Oslo, and she provided slightly different figures: According to local police, 19 girls were sent to the hospital and 49 fans from the concert were injured in one way or another because of the pressure and madness of the fans.
"No state of emergency was ever declared," Bjorn tells E! News. "However there has been a ton of critique towards official police and Universal Music [Bieber's label] because they were not prepared. They had not taken into consideration the chaos that could occur."
Bjorn explained that officials in Oslo, Norway did not really know who Justin Bieber was or how important he is to youth around the world.
Universal Music, the teen idol's label, issued a press release stating it "regrets strongly that some of those who were [at the] Justin concert had a bad experience."
"Fortunately no one was seriously injured," said a Universal Music exec, adding that despite this concert's negative publicity, the Biebs has shown the media he has a desire to "return to Norway and [perform] a new concert here."
Ola Stenberg, a VGTV news editor, said the "chaotic scene" was comparable to the excited fan reactions "we haven't seen since stars like Michael Jackson visited Norway."
Justin, of course, didn't want his devoted fans to hurt themselves. "for the show to happen u must all listen to the police," he tweeted Wednesday as the frenzy for his performance increased. "we are all concerned for your safety and i want what is best for u. please listen."
The 18-year-old pop star now has shows in Paris, Milan, Verona, Madrid, London, Cologne, Berlin, Mexico City, New York and Toronto.
He tweeted Thursday: "now off to another #secretshow but this time a little more intimate and romantic. #cityoflove #BELIEVE #AllAroundTheWorld promo #PARIS"
Wonder if "a little more intimate" means not overwhelmingly huge and out of control? We hope so. Stay safe out there, Beliebers.
Nearly overwhelmed by the masses of Justin Bieber fans who gathered in Oslo* for a free performance the teen mega-star gave* Wednesday night, Norwegian police reportedly threatened a state of emergency and appealed to the singer for help in controlling his followers.
According to the gossip website TMZ.com, tens of thousands of Bieber’s fans traveled across Europe and descended on Oslo. The 18-year-old singer was scheduled to perform four new songs at the Oslo Opera House as part of his “Justin Bieber Believe: All Around the World” television special that airs June 21 on NBC.
But the massive fan presence taxed local police efforts and cast doubt on whether the performance could go forward.
Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun,* detailed the situation on Twitter: “The streets are filled … the bridges are closed. It is out of control. We may have to start the show early or they will cancel. #bieberfever”
“To have this much pressure and this much attention on this one single guy, I think that’s pretty unprecedented,” Jennifer Peros of Us Weekly magazine told “Good Morning America.”
TMZ reported police asked Bieber to take the stage early and to reach out to his fans.
He did both. On Twitter, the star wrote: “NORWAY – please listen to the police. I dont want anyone getting hurt. I want everything to go to plan but your safety must come first …,”* and* ”for the show to happen u must all listen to the police. We are all concerned for your safety and I want what is best for u. Please listen.”
And the* show went on. Bieber performed two current songs and four new ones. After the performance, he addressed his 22.5 million followers on Twitter, writing: “that was fun. #NORWAY!! Paris tomorrow! #AtItAgain #BELIEVE”
“I don’t think you can see how far or how famous he can get from this point on,” Peros told “GMA.”* “I think the worst has yet to come for him.”
At one point, when fans became convinced that he was traveling in the water by boat, thousands of fans began to line up on the dock, with some even choosing to chase the suspected craft with speedboats and canoes.
Bieber was reportedly eventually flown in by helicopter.
I was there.. It was insane, really. Some girl had to be cut out from a metal fence because she got shoved so hard into it she got stuck.. 50 people hurt and 15 brought to the emergency room.. I have never seen anything like it tbh. It was like beatlemania or something. The stage was floating right outside the opera house and several people jumped into the ocean and began swimming towards the stage... Another one was hit by what she thought was his car because she literally jumped in front of it.. I've never seen such chaos.. I mean
and some girls fainted apparently
And people still try to deny just how big this kid really is.
