Most people know who my love Justin Bieber is unless you’ve been living under a rock. But the story of his mother, Pattie Mallette, isn’t as mainstream. She raised Justin by herself, allowed Scooter Braun to cultivate his career and believed in him from the beginning. But Pattie’s past isn’t as pretty as you might think. In her book Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom she discusses what she went through, from growing up enduring sexual abuse to her relationship with Justin’s father Jeremy and giving birth to a son who would become the most famous pop star on the planet.
I was lucky enough to have read this book and have the author herself sign it.
The morning of Justin’s concert here in Detroit I had a lot to prepare for. I didn’t know how much time I’d have to get to Joe Louis Arena after Pattie’s signing so I brought everything with me that I wanted and made my way to Barnes & Noble.
When I arrived a table was set up right by the front door where people wanting to attend the signing could get wristbands. I barely showed them my copy of Nowhere But Up when the lady wrapped a green paper bracelet around my wrist. It was official, now all I had to do was wait.
After wasting time in other shops in the strip (buying some sunglasses for my upcoming trip and looking at clothes) it was finally time to line up. I met a couple girls that I talk to on Twitter and had met briefly before and we used the remaining time chatting about our excitement for the show that night. Thank goodness the bookstore was big; it got very crowded very quickly the closer to got to 1:00pm. I barely had elbow room, and this wasn’t even Justin!
A table was set up in a corner of the store with a green table cloth, a rose in a vase and several copies of Nowhere But Up decoratively arranged. It was quaint and calm and beautiful, just like the author.
Finally a tiny woman with two guys flanking her side appeared and screams ripped through the room. Girls were pushing us from behind to get a closer look and better shots on their phones. We watched store personnel start the line and kept our ears open as best we could to listen for our wristband numbers to be called.
We waited and watched as people came and went, crying and hugging Pattie and posing for teary pictures. Finally a woman announced that they were queuing my number and I scooted in front of people and took my place. The line moved slowly but surely, everyone taking a few minutes to talk to Pattie and hug her. And then I was next.
My heart was pounding but I kept myself under control. I couldn’t think of anything else I wanted to say to Pattie except “I absolutely loved reading your book, it was amazing. Such a good read.” She looked up at me (she was sitting down) with the brightest twinkle in her eye and said “Thank you so much! Do you want to take a picture?” Of course I did! I bent down closer to her, smiled at my own camera phone then hugged and thanked Pattie again. She thanked me a second time as well and said “It was so nice to meet you, you’re so sweet!” I was hardly believing my ears. She was thanking me? Just like her son did. It was surreal, they’re both such kind people.
Just like that it was over; I said goodbye to the girls I’d been talking to, told them I’d try to see them at the concert and went home to change.
Pattie’s son put on a hell of a show that night. His vocals were incredible and he had a lot of energy throughout! We didn’t have the greatest seats but we rocked out with him regardless. I’m not sure if Pattie was watching but I hope she was; he would’ve made her proud as usual.
Pattie is one of the sweetest women you’ll ever meet. I hope she appreciated what I said as much as she seemed to because I meant it. I don’t always agree with Pattie as it relates to Justin, but reading her story gave me lots of insight to their lives and where they really came from. I’m glad I got to thank her in person for sharing that with the world because she didn’t have to.
If you haven’t yet, check out Pattie’s book Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom at your local bookstore or on Amazon.com.
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