The Kid LAROI Confirms He Wrote Every Lyric of ‘Stay’ Except for Justin Bieber’s Verse

The Kid LAROI is definitively extinguishing the persistent rumors regarding the creative origins of “Stay,” his 2021 powerhouse collaboration with Justin Bieber. During his recent Twitch broadcast, The Road to Before I Forget, the Australian star offered a transparent breakdown of the track’s songwriting credits.

Addressing the speculation head-on, LAROI clarified that he was the primary architect of the song’s lyrics. “I penned every single word of that track, with the exception of Justin’s verse,” he stated. He further emphasized that Bieber was responsible for his own contribution, debunking the narrative that the song was a pre-written demo pitched to the duo. He specifically addressed the misconception that co-producer Charlie Puth had authored the lyrics, explaining that while Puth’s production was vital, the “punch-in style” writing was entirely LAROI’s own work.

“Stay” was a commercial juggernaut throughout 2021, securing the top spot on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Global 200. The track etched its name in the record books as the first song in Hot 100 history to remain in the top 10 for its first 40 weeks on the chart, ultimately garnering five Billboard Music Awards, including top streaming song and top collaboration.

The artist admitted that the erasure of his creative input was personally disheartening. “I definitely felt discouraged when I saw people claiming I didn’t write it,” LAROI reflected. “I was only 17 at the time, and I’m still incredibly proud of that achievement. It’s wild to think people believe it was just handed to me.” While he was quick to credit the entire team for their collaborative efforts, he remained firm on his lyrical ownership of the smash hit.

Looking ahead, LAROI is preparing for the January 6 release of his sophomore studio album, Before I Forget. This follows his 2023 project, The First Time, which peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard 200. Fans have already gravitated toward the new lead single, “A Cold Play,” which many speculate explores his high-profile past relationship with Tate McRae.

The musical landscape for 2026 is also taking shape: Charlie Puth is slated to perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LX on February 8, while Justin Bieber is confirmed to headline Coachella for the very first time.

Below, view clips from The Kid LAROI’s The Road to Before I Forget stream.

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