Here’s what you need to know about the sexual assault allegations against Justin Bieber - and how he responded

Everything you need to know about the allegations made against the singer (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for MTV)Everything you need to know about the allegations made against the singer (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for MTV)
Everything you need to know about the allegations made against the singer (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for MTV)

Pop star Justin Bieber has denied a rape allegation made against him on Twitter by an anonymous account.

The allegations were made over the weekend by an anonymous Twitter account, which has since been deleted.

This is everything you need to know about the situation.

What were the sexual assault allegations?

In a tweet dated 20 June, which has been deleted, an anonymous Twitter user claims to have met Bieber when she was 21, and he was 20, at a music event in Austin, Texas.

The tweet claimed that on 9 March 2014, Bieber invited the woman to the Four Seasons Hotel following a surprise set that he performed, where he took her into a separate room and assaulted her.

In the tweet, the woman wrote: “I’m posting this anonymously because I’m not ready to come forward and reveal myself. If he comes across this, you know who I am.

“I know you remember me. I hope your life is hell after this and you drown in guilt.”

What has Justin Bieber said?

On Sunday 21 June, the Canadian singer took to Twitter himself to deny the allegations made against him.

He tweeted: “I don’t normally address things as I have dealt with random accusations my entire career but after talking with my wife and team I have decided to speak up on an issue tonight.”

Bieber followed the tweet up with 14 tweets claiming his innocence, using articles, photographs and hotel booking confirmations to deny the allegations.

He wrote: “Rumours are rumours but sexual abuse is something I don’t take lightly. I wanted to speak out right away but out of respect to so many victims who deal with these issues daily I wanted to make sure I gathered the facts before I made any statement.”

Bieber began by explaining that there was “no truth to this story” and that he would prove he was never present at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, Texas.

What evidence did Bieber provide?

Bieber started by writing that he did indeed perform a surprise set in Austin at Sxsw and sang a few songs, which is consistent with the claims made by the anonymous Twitter account.

“What this person did not know was that I attended that show with my then gf Selena Gomez,” Bieber wrote.

Bieber and Gomez dated for two years, between 2010 and 2012.

Bieber linked to an Us Magazine story from 2014 which references that Bieber was at SXSW with Gomez and then shared a few photos from YouTube videos and fan tweets that also showed him there with Gomez.

He went on to say that he, Gomez and their friends stayed at an AirBNB on 9 March and then at a Westin Hotel on 10 March. He provided screenshots, booking confirmations and receipts for these hotel and Airbnb stays.

The booking receipts show Bieber checking in under the name Mike Lowery, which he followed up by saying he would no longer be using the name Mike Lowery as an alias.

He continued: “We have also confirmed with the Four Seasons regional manager that I was never on property on the 9th of March 2014 and never a guest on the 9th or the 10th and I welcome all press to inquire with them if needed or wanted.”

Bieber finished his string of tweets by writing: “Every claim of sexual abuse should be taken very seriously and this is why my response was needed.

“However, this story is factually impossible and that is why I will be working with Twitter and authorities to take legal action.”

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