Post date: Apr 27, 2012 7:56:54 PM
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (APRIL 27, 2012) (REUTERS) - Justin Bieber's non-traditional rise to fame was recognized at the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday (April 27).
Pop star Justin Bieber and his manager Scooter Braun receive the Disruptive Innovation Award at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The global pop star and his manager, Scooter Braun, were among the honorees at the third annual Disruptive Innovation Awards for the pioneering discovery of Bieber on Youtube.com and his use of social media.
"I think that Scooter is an incredible guy and he's helped me just as much as I've helped him. So the fact that we've able to do this together and experience this, it's been great," Bieber told Reuters.
Bieber became famous after posting various videos of himself singing on Youtube.com. One of his most successful clips, which was played during the ceremony, was recorded when Bieber was just 13 years old and attracted over 20 million views. Braun said it was Bieber's soul that caught his attention and that the future is still bright for the star.
"It's funny I think coming from where he was coming from he didn't even imagine it was possible to go this far, he was just living his life and being a normal kid. And when I saw him the first time I always knew we would get here and I think now that he is 18 and becoming a man, you know, how good of a man, how he carries himself will define how far he goes because his talent is endless," said Braun.
After roughly six years Bieber has become a global superstar selling millions of records and amassing over 21 million Twitter followers. On the red carpet the 18-year-old said he never anticipated this type of success.
"I've always loved singing and music has always been my passion ever since I've been little, you know. I've played music, I started playing the drums when I was two years old so, it's always been something that has been strong all my life. But I didn't think it was possible to be famous, that was never a dream of mine because I didn't think it was possible. So when I put all my videos on Youtube it was kind of just for my friends and family. And to see it go so big and to have someone like Scooter who was able to help me, you know, show it to the world and do what I love I think it's been incredible," he said.
During the presentation Bieber thanked Braun for helping him achieve his goals, while Braun jumped into manager-mode once he realized the young star was sporting jewellery on his ring finger, causing him to defuse rumors before they start.
"I just realized that he's wearing a ring on his ring finger. So after we leave here - he's not engaged, he's not married, but I'm going to have to deal with that later," joked Braun.
"Didn't even realize that, sorry guys. That's not what I was going for, a long time coming guys. Why didn't anyone tell me?," Bieber said as he moved the ring to his other hand.
The Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards are handed out to individuals who use technology in non-traditional ways in everything from the arts to the sciences.
The Tribeca Film Festival will end on April 28th.