Justin Bieber Unfazed by *NSYNC Comparisons in 'Boyfriend' (VIDEO)
Justin Bieber's "Boyfriend" video has gone viral since it premiered on Thursday, and while it continues to receive favorable reviews among his fans, some critics say that it is very similar to an *NSYNC music video.
Bieber insists that he did not copy former boy group *NSYNC's "Girlfriend" video because he has never seen it, but admits that he has "definitely" been influenced by the former *NSYNC lead singer Justin Timberlake, and says that the comparisons do not bother him, according to MTV News.
"[Timberlake] was young, and he did it, and he was really amazing and had such amazing music," Bieber told MTV's Sway Calloway. "I can't say that I would be upset when someone compares me to him."
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The 3-and-a-half minute long music video features a grown up Bieber surrounded by powerful cars and eyeing a brunette love interest, just as Timberlake does in the *NSYNC video.
"I just feel like my music is going a completely different route, but ... hats go off to him," Bieber said, referring to Timberlake.
As for Bieber's new sound, the 18-year-old teenage heartthrob said that his grown up look was intentional.
"I think it's super cool," he said. "I wanted to do something a little bit more mature."
Bieber fans immediately flocked to social networking site Twitter to share their thoughts about the the singer's latest music video.
"Justin Bieber acting all grown and handsome in this Boyfriend video def gives me a Justin Timberlake vibe," Jennifer Cruz tweeted.
"Justin Bieber's 'Boyfriend' video is really similar to NSYNC's 'Girlfriend' video," Myles Tanzer tweeted.
"Justin Bieber raps now? Can he please stop thinking he's the next Justin Timberlake? That'd be great," Zlata Thoughts tweeted.
"Boyfriend" sold over half a million downloads during its first week, earning Bieber the second highest number of first week sales in history.
Did Bieber copy *NSYNC in his "Boyfriend" video? Watch both videos below and decide for yourself.
