Choreographer Emma Portner Accuses Justin Bieber of ‘Degrading Women’
Written by SOURCE on July 3, 2019
Emma Portner is putting Justin Bieber on blast.
The New York-based choregrapher collaborated with Bieber on a number of projects, including his 2015 “Life Is Worth Living” video and his 2016 Purpose World Tour. Though one would assume these gigs would’ve been very lucrative, Portner claims she was taken advantage of and paid less than minimum wage.
“I regret working under your name. I gave your universe my naive body, creativity, time and effort. Twice. For content you made millions off of. While I made zilch,” she wrote to Bieber in an Instagram story Monday. “I couldn’t afford to eat. I was sweeping studio floors to be able to practice my own craft.”
Portner, who is married to actress Ellen Page, went on to accuse the singer of “degrading women” and associating with problematic individuals.
“You religiously go to a church that does not support the LGBTQ+ community,” she continued, presumably referring to Bieber’s church, Hillsong. “Your company hired an out lesbian in your music video, and to choreograph some content for your Purpose World Tour. How do you feel about that? A lesbian, HELPING YOU, for a disrespectful amount of money, as you attend a church that goes against my existence? […] A straight white pastor/manager can’t be your only major source of world view. I have so much to say but mostly … I really hope you educate yourself beyond your bible. You have IMMENSE power. Use it to STOP DEGRADING WOMEN.”
The message was shared just days after Bieber criticized Taylor Swift for calling out his longtime manager Scooter Braun. Swift expressed her frustration over Braun purchasing the rights to some of her music, and accused the music manager of “incessant, manipulative bullying”; however, Bieber claimed it was Swift who was inciting bullying by publicly bashing Braun.
Bieber has since apologized for his initial comments toward Swift.
