Justin Bieber surprised patrons of a New Zealand pub with an impromptu piano performance, hiding his face behind the piano lid as he played. The 32-year-old singer, known for hits like 'Baby', visited the Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell unannounced, delighting those present with instrumental renditions of popular songs.
Co-owner Anton Haagh told RNZ that Bieber "was just after a few beers and some snacks, and he saw our baby grand piano in the corner, and he just jumped on and started knocking out a few tunes." Haagh noted that Bieber played a "lot of modern music" but refrained from singing, likely to avoid drawing attention to himself.
Punters slow to recognise the star
While some patrons reportedly recognised the singer, others were unaware of his identity until later. The piano lid was lifted to conceal his face, and by the time many realised who he was, Bieber had decided to leave. Reports indicate that 30 to 40 fans were on their way to catch a glimpse of him when he exited the venue.
Those who did recognise him were urged to give Bieber and his entourage space, acknowledging the challenges celebrities face when trying to enjoy a casual night out.
Bieber's New Zealand adventure
Bieber has been sharing updates from his New Zealand trip on Instagram, where fans have commented that he appears "happy" in every photo and that it "looks good" on him. His activities have included golfing, swimming, fishing, and a helicopter ride offering views of the countryside. Observant followers noted that his wife, Hailey Bieber, was absent from his travels.
A look back at Bieber's career
Bieber was discovered on YouTube in 2008, and his debut EP in 2009, followed by the album My World 2.0 featuring the hit 'Baby', catapulted him to global teen stardom. In 2015, he released the critically acclaimed album 'Purpose', which included chart-toppers like 'Sorry', 'What Do You Mean?' and 'Love Yourself'. This period also saw him topping global charts through collaborations such as the 2017 remix of 'Despacito'.
After a brief break to focus on his well-being, he returned in 2020 with 'Changes', followed by 'Justice' in 2021, which featured the hit 'Peaches'. Although health concerns forced him to temporarily halt live touring in 2022, he later returned with surprise releases SWAG and SWAG II, showcasing a more introspective, R&B-influenced sound alongside a return to headlining major festival stages.
