Missy Franklin Is No Longer a Belieber: Sorry, Justin

Could it be the beginning of the end for Justin Bieber? The diminutive Canuck heartthrob has spent the last year-plus making more idiotic headlines than hits -- and now, even Olympic gold medalist and self-confessed superfan Missy Franklin is distancing herself from him. Oh, how times have changed. See also:...

By Michael Roberts

August 6, 2014

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Could it be the beginning of the end for Justin Bieber? The diminutive Canuck heartthrob has spent the last year-plus making more idiotic headlines than hits -- and now, even Olympic gold medalist and self-confessed superfan Missy Franklin is distancing herself from him.

Oh, how times have changed.

Back in July 2012, shortly after the Colorado fave won the 100 meter backstroke during the London games, Bieber gave her something she appeared to treasure every bit as much as that gold medal: this congratulatory tweet:

heard @franklinmissy is a fan of mine. now im a fan of hers too. CONGRATS on winning GOLD! #muchlove
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) July 31, 2012

Franklin promptly responded on her own Twitter account with off-the-charts effusiveness:

"@justinbieber: heard @franklinmissy is a fan of mine. now im a fan of hers too. CONGRATS on winning GOLD! #muchlove" I just died! Thankyou!
— Missy Franklin (@FranklinMissy) July 31, 2012

As we noted, Franklin continued to collect baubles after that, and during an interview with Bob Costas, she learned that Bieber had promised they'd meet. This pledge was kept in January 2013 during a Denver concert, as Franklin confirmed on her Twitter feed.

With the Biebs He truly is a wonderful and genuine person! Such an honor to meet him! instagr.am/p/UNCsx3Qybe/
— Missy Franklin (@FranklinMissy) January 8, 2013

Here's the accompanying photo:

Justin looks a little blunted in the shot, even though he's not holding the sort of "cigarette" captured in the following TMZ image: Since then, however, Bieber's douchebaggery (exemplified by a criminal charge for egging a neighbor's house) has reached new heights. And Franklin, who's now a wizened nineteen, has had enough.

During a Tuesday press conference advancing this year's national swimming championship meet, she reportedly responded to a question about her Bieber fandom with this quote: "I don't agree with all of his life decisions lately, so I've moved on a little from that."

A true Belieber no more.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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