Justin Bieber Flips Off Photogs With Birthday Salute, Tweets Apology

Teen idol turns 17 with dinner, a date and a salute to the paparazzi

By Erik Pedersen Mar 02, 2011 9:39 PMTags
Justin BieberDome, Monterotti, PacificCoastNews.com

Table for one?

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez went out for dinner Tuesday night as part of the all-day, supercuteness extravaganza known as Bieber's 17th b-day. But perhaps wanting a little free time—or just hoping to ensure that someone snapped a pic to commemorate the big night—the "Baby" man flipped the bird at the paparazzi trying to horn in on his evening.

Testy, tacky or a kinda normal response from a teen who would just like to drive his date home like any normal kid? You make the call.

But Bieber himself tweeted his thoughts on the matter....

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"had a great bday and at the end of the night we got surrounded by paps and i reacted in a way i know better. im sorry," he tweeted. "it's not always easy but i know better than to react in anger."

Then the Never Say Never man switched to a happier topic: gratitude. "on a better note i need to say THANK U to my fans. we raised over 40k for @charitywater for my bday. we together #madeachange" he added. (Bieber was referring to the lock of hair he gave Ellen DeGeneres to auction on eBay for charity, which went for $40,668 earlier today.)

"so thank u for a great bday and an amazing gift of charity to help others. another year but still the same kid. still grateful. #makeachange

Aww. Hit the comments with your thoughts, analysis and belated birthday wishes.

PHOTOS: Who else offers the one-fingered salute?