Former friends speak out as the pop star’s ties to a controversial church raise red flags
Is Justin Bieber, the global pop icon turned spiritual influencer, slowly slipping under the control of a modern-day cult? That’s the question fans and former friends are now asking, following explosive claims in TMZ’s new documentary “TMZ Investigates: What Happened to Justin Bieber?”, now streaming on Hulu.
What seemed like a spiritual awakening in the singer’s post-teen-idol years has taken a darker turn. Bieber’s increasing closeness with Churchome—a Beverly Hills megachurch led by celebrity pastor Judah Smith—is raising red flags for some of his closest former confidants.
One of the most shocking revelations comes from Ryan Good, once Bieber’s creative partner at Drew House and best man at his wedding to Hailey Baldwin. Good is no longer in Bieber’s life—and he blames Churchome. According to the documentary, Good left the church after becoming concerned with what he described as “cult-like” practices. He says his personal decisions, including his sex life, were scrutinized by both Bieber and Pastor Smith in a confrontation that ultimately ended their friendship. But Good isn’t alone. Other sources say that even Bieber’s former manager, Scooter Braun—who is Jewish—was confronted about not believing in Jesus.
Pastor Judah Smith has denied all cult accusations, responding with sarcasm during a recent speech: “If we’re a cult, we’re the worst cult in history. We meet once a month, guys!” Smith dismissed the claims further when asked directly by paparazzi outside his car, laughing off the label and calling the attention “a first.”
Still, Churchome isn’t new to controversy. In 2023, the church faced a lawsuit from a former employee who claimed they were pressured to donate 10% of their gross income—raising deeper concerns about financial coercion and internal power dynamics.
Reports suggest that Hailey Bieber is growing uneasy with Smith’s influence over her husband. Multiple sources allege that the pastor is driving a wedge between the couple, a theory intensified by Bieber’s increasingly erratic public behavior, including unusual moments at Coachella and awkward social media posts.
This all raises a difficult but important question: Is Justin Bieber simply deepening his faith, or is he caught in something more manipulative and controlling? Churchome positions itself as a progressive, welcoming community—but the line between faith and fanaticism is often razor-thin, especially when power, celebrity, and money are involved.
Bieber addressed criticism indirectly last month on Instagram, writing: “The feeling of guilt can be relieved… Not by going to church or reading ur Bible. But just receive that God forgives.” Was this a cryptic pushback against religious expectations—or a subtle reinforcement of his current spiritual path?