LAS VEGAS, May 20 (UPI)–Teen pop star Justin Bieber was greeted by both cheers and jeers when he picked up the Milestone Award at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas.
“I’m 19 years old. I think I’m doing a pretty good job. And basically, from my heart, I just really want to say it should really be about the music. This is not a gimmick. I’m an artist and I should be taken seriously, and all this other bull[expletive] should not be spoken of,” the singer said Sunday night as he collected the award, which recognized his success on the record chart during the past year.
His remarks prompted mixed, but loud reactions from the people in the crowd.
Bieber also won the Billboard Music Awards for Top Male Artist and Top Social Artist at the weekend ceremony, which aired on ABC.
The recording artist’s accomplishments have been eclipsed lately by reports saying he has been fighting with the paparazzi and his neighbors. His on-off relationship with actress Selena Gomez also has been making headlines for months.