Justin Bieber and the Case of the Disappearing Mariah Diss

Pop star allegedly lashes out at queen diva, saying she's "past her prime"; quote has since been extricated from online interview

By Gina Serpe Mar 24, 2010 2:58 PMTags
Justin BieberKevin Kane/Getty Images

If a pipsqueak upstart very credible artist disses a superstar and it disappears from the Internet, did it ever really happen to begin with?

For Justin Bieber's sake, we sure hope not.

If Britain's Sun tabloid is to be believed (ahem), then the "Baby" chart-topper unexpectedly lashed out at Mariah Carey during an otherwise run-of-the-mill interview, which was given in conjunction with an acoustic session for the newspaper's website.

And while Usher's protégé had nothing but praise for Justin Timberlake, Rihanna and Beyoncé, he didn't mince words when it came to Mimi.

Nick Cannon, you may want to sit down for this:

"I don't love her new music, it's not the same," he said. "It's like Michael Jordan coming back out to play in the NBA. She is past her best."

Oh yes he did! Uh, or did he?

We would blame his hormones, but it seems there may be something a little more sinister in play.

While the quote did in fact make the initial cut of the online story (as the cached version shows), it, along with any mention of Mariah, has since been removed from the site.

Whether it was the result of a teenage mouth run amok, the imaginings of a particularly creative reporter, the heavy editorial hand of an upset flack or none of the above, Bieber's pure-as-snow reputation is back intact.

Now if only he could have a word with his management.

Earlier today, his manager turned himself in to Nassau Count police on charges of reckless endangerment and criminal nuisance stemming from a Bieber mall appearance that took place last November.

The teeny-boppers couldn't contain themselves and when the crowd got unruly, police ordered Scott "Scooter" Braun to send out a tweet announcing that he had canceled the event. He obliged, but, according to prosecutors, not for nearly 90 minutes.

He plans to plead not guilty and faces up to a year in jail if convicted.

________

Justin and Mariah aren't the only unlikely feuders. Check out which other stars have been locking horns.