Justin Bieber had heartbreaking plea to fans long before being forced to issue statement on drug use accusations

Justin Bieber once made a heartbreaking plea to fans long before being forced to issue a statement on drug use accusations.

Earlier this month, the 30-year-old 'Baby' star sparked some serious speculation online with fans branding Bieber as 'frail and unrecognisable' following the release of several new paparazzi snaps.

Since then, a rep for the father-of-one - who shares a son named Jack with his wife, Hailey Bieber - has denied allegations that the singer had been using drugs.

The rep told Rolling Stone that both Bieber and his wife have said the public’s obsession over his mental and physical health is 'exhausting and pitiful and shows that despite the obvious truth, people are committed to keeping negative, salacious, harmful narratives alive'.

The rep added that the last year was 'very transformative for him as he ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him'.

The statement in question, which was first reported by TMZ, concluded by claiming that the star 'hadn't slept because he had been recording all night which is why he looked a bit worse for wear when he stepped out to get some fresh air'.

"He'd also spent part of the evening caring for his son who was having trouble falling asleep as well," TMZ added.

Tyla has previously reached out to Justin Bieber's representatives for further comment.

The statement comes after Bieber was forced to release several gut-wrenching statements on his health, pleading with the tabloid press to cut him some slack.

In January 2020, aged just 25, the musician announced that he'd been diagnosed with Lyme disease.

The condition - caused by an infection prompted by a tick bite - is surprisingly common, especially in the celebrity realm, with countless other stars having previously opened up about their own health battles.

That said, however, the news was particularly hard for the 'Baby' singer to break, being that he'd arguably had his reputation attacked by the US tabloid press in the months prior after taking a break from fame.

Sharing the news online at the time, Bieber wrote: "I've been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease, not only that but had a serious case of chronic mono which affected my skin, brain function, energy, and overall health.

"It's been a rough couple years but getting the right treatment that will help treat this so far incurable disease and I will be back and better than ever."

Just weeks after he opened up about his diagnosis, Bieber was forced to plead with the press not to use sickly images of him in their stories, accusing magazines and newspapers of trying to 'legitimately sabotage' him.

Taking to his Instagram Story at the time, Bieber penned: "I don’t know what the algorithm is for why certain photos come up.

"But this is so frustrating considering that I took a lot of time to get healthy and I feel as though people try to legitimately sabotage me."

He went on to explain: "This was a time where I was really unhealthy. I was battling Lyme disease, right? All of the top photos are me looking disheveled, right?

"I was obviously going through a tough time, but it’s like, these are the photos that the media tries to run with."

Months later, nothing had changed for the 'One Time' hitmaker, and he once again took to social media with another plea.

"I’m still in shock we are still using those photos of me, I’m telling [you], media wants to pick bad photos of me to make it look like I’m not OK," he penned.

Hoping to prove his point, the chart-topper went on to share four different photos of himself - some showing the star thriving, and others where he looks unwell.

"There have been countless photo and [opportunities] for media to pick up other photos," he captioned the snaps.

"But they still run with this one to make me look sick and unwell, it’s not right.

"I’ve done a lot of photo shoots since then and yeah, they don’t have to put these photos, but they do. I don’t know why."

Bieber added: "I mean, look at my skin now. There are so many photos they can choose."