Justin Bieber Sits Down With Ryan Seacrest on NBC Today, 9/13

Justin Bieber sits down with NBC News Special Correspondent Ryan Seacrest for an exclusive interview airing today, September 13 on TODAY and ROCK CENTER WITH Brian Williams. Bieber chats with Seacrest about the details of his new book, Justin Bieber: Just Getting Started, out today, September 13. He also talks about his desire to not be just “another teen heartthrob,” the challenges he faces in the music industry, and what he’s striving for next.

Bieber’s mother, Pattie Mallette, joins the interview and reveals the name she almost gave her son when he was born. She also shares what Bieber was like as a mischievous young boy, all part of her new soon to be released book, Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber’s Mom. Mallette will appear on “Today” to discuss more about her book in a special multi-part interview airing Tuesday and Wednesday September 18 and 19.

Below are excerpts from the interview with Ryan Seacrest airing on “Today” and “Rock Center with Brian Williams” today, September 13.

NOT JUST ANOTHER TEEN HEARTTHROB

Justin Bieber:

I feel like I just don't want to be another teen heartthrob, 'cause that's just-- I just think that that just annoys me. To think that that's what people will-- will think of me-- or like I just want to prove people wrong.

Ryan Seacrest:

Do you think you've made steps and taken steps to start doing that?

Justin Bieber:

Yeah. I think Believe is really-- my new album has really showcased what I'm capable of—especially becoming an 18-year-old and becoming an adult. And hearing older people say, “Wow, this new album's great. Like I didn't know that was Justin Bieber." Or, you know, "Wow, like I never used to listen to Justin Bieber's music, and now I like his music." Or-- "This, As Long As You Love Me, that's Justin Bieber singing?"

Like I like those reactions, because I feel like they're now-- they're-- judging me based on my music and not based on, you know, my-- a flick of my hair. You know?

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"I LOVE BEING THE UNDERDOG"

Ryan Seacrest:

You-- you write in the book something interesting. You say that, "I love being the underdog."

Justin Bieber:

Uh-huh.

Ryan Seacrest:

You say, "It gives me and my fans something to do and to strive for next."

Justin Bieber:

Uh-huh.

Ryan Seacrest:

Do you still feel like you're the underdog?

Justin Bieber:

I mean, at this point, I feel like in some ways, I'm-- I am the underdog. Because it's like there are people that don't believe that, you know, I can make the transition from being a teen pop star to an adult.

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