Chad Salvador/WWD
Justin Bieber’s headlining performance at Coachella has ignited a wave of admiration from his industry peers, with fellow stars taking to social media to applaud his artistic evolution.
Lizzo offered a deeply personal tribute on Instagram this past Sunday. After witnessing the Canadian pop icon’s set firsthand, she reflected on his growth, writing, “I watched a pop star who grew up in the public eye fully transcend into his true artistry last night.”
She continued, “I saw someone who gave us his entire life finally nourish himself. I didn’t reach for my phone because I wanted to be entirely present. Justin invited us on a journey, and those who joined him were blessed with a beautiful ride. When you harness your gift for a higher purpose, it may challenge others—but that’s perfectly fine, because those who truly support you will feel that love.”
The acclaimed singer-producer Labrinth also chimed in with high praise via his Instagram Story: “JUSTIN… I see exactly what you’re doing and I love it. Be true! Forget what anyone else thinks.”
Bieber’s set was a highlight of the festival’s second day. The weekend’s festivities, which featured opening-day headliner Sabrina Carpenter and Sunday’s closer Karol G, are set to repeat for a second round starting Friday, April 17.
The performance was particularly striking for its nostalgia; at one point, Bieber projected his early YouTube viral videos onto the main stage, watching them alongside the massive crowd. Other notable reactions included Katy Perry—who quipped that she was grateful Bieber had a YouTube Premium subscription to avoid mid-song ads—and Zara Larsson, who captured the vibe of watching the set from home: “It’s giving ‘let’s smoke and watch YouTube.’”
