So, Let's Talk About That Time Justin Bieber Cried

Even if you didn't tune in to watch the 2015 VMAs, then you've probably heard by now that Justin Bieber cried during his performance of "What Do You Mean" on the VMAs stage, following a poignant and heartwarming monologue that was enough to convert me back into a Belieber. It was the pop star's triumphant return to performing at the ceremony after a three year absence, and triumphant is definitely the word I would use to describe it. The singing! The dancing! The light show! The fact that he hovered off the ground for a decent portion of the song! I had chills, you guys. But, for those out there who didn't tune in, there might be some confusion. Exactly why did Justin Bieber cry at the 2015 VMAs? If you ask me, it was a combination of factors that resulted in the most emotional moment of the night.

Bieber held it together incredibly well during his performance, seeming so genuinely thrilled to be there that the crowd was immediately amped up as he marched out onto the stage with his backup dancers. He started with "Where Are Ü Now" before transitioning right into "What Do You Mean" and closing with a monologue that will now live in infamy: "Life is a journey. Sometimes we battle, full of the unexpected. Sometimes we focus on our destination and forget to focus on that journey. But when we fall, it allows you to get up stronger. It allows you not to focus on your own understanding. Give in to faith. Believe in something bigger than yourself, and find your purpose." Then, to everyone's surprise, he broke down crying. But why?

Perhaps the better question that we should be asking is why not? The last time that Bieber performed at the MTV VMAs was in 2012, shortly after the release of his album, Believe, a night during which he lost two awards he was nominated for to One Direction and one to Chris Brown of all people. That was also the same year that we got Bieber's first run-in with the law, when he was pulled over for reckless driving (while allegedly trying to escape the paparazzi). In the time between that performance and Bieber's performance from Sunday night, he has been arrested for driving while under the influence, charged with vandalism, dangerous driving, and assault, been the subject of a petition to have him deported, made the list of most hated men in America, and had a rollercoaster of a relationship with Selena Gomez. He's gotten an endless parade of tattoos, and posed shirtless with more models than I have pairs of underwear. He's also had, and abandoned, a pet monkey.

After all of that, Bieber returned to the stage after making a series of apologies, to share with the world a new song that he was incredibly proud of, and secure in the knowledge that he has finally found his way and his purpose in life. That kind of thing has got to be overwhelming, especially for Bieber who so clearly believes in something so much bigger than himself. Add that to the fact that it must be terrifying to put yourself out there and declare your faith while once again asking for forgiveness from an unforgiving audience (sorry I doubted you, Biebs!) and, seriously, the better question to be asking about Bieber's emotional moment is why not? It was brave of him to show that level of emotion on stage, and it truly helped to melt even the most hardened of anti-Belieber hearts. The 21-year-old has come incredibly far from the boy he was at his last VMAs performance, in more ways than one, that it's enough to bring a tear to my eye, let alone his.