Justin Bieber Responds To Alleged Drug Controversy: "I'm Trying To Be Better"

The price of fame is high for Justin Bieber.

After a photographer trying to snap up flicks of him died, he soapboxed for a paparazzi law ensuring the safety of celebs, civilians et al. But it turns out that the 35-year-old photog Chris Guerra was reportedly in hot pursuit of the Biebs in hopes of catching the teen pop star slipping. TMZ then uncovered photos of the "Beauty and the Beat" singer allegedly smoking up.

It didn't take long for the 18-year-old to revert to the social site to speak out. "Everyday growing and learning. Trying to be better. U get knocked down, u get up," he wrote Saturday (Jan. 5). "I see all of u. I hear all of u. I never want to let any of you down. I love u."

While he didn't outwardly admit to getting baked, he did reveal "new challenges" he was facing. Bieber has been showing a bit of a wild side in the past weeks. He Instagrammed a new ankle tat and gave away his pet hamster to a screaming fan, only to be criticized by animal rights organizations.