Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Today, random celebrity feuds are about Justin Bieber vs. H&M. Well, maybe calling it a “feud” is a bit much, but whatever happens between the singer and the clothing brand, it’s definitely not friendly. On Monday, Bieber called H&M on his Instagram and accused the brand of selling unauthorized merchandise featuring his likeness and the lyrics to his song “Ghost.” 24 hours later, H&M announced that it had removed the merch from its website and stores.
“I have not approved any of the merch collections that they have lined up at H&M,” Bieber wrote on his Instagram Stories after the collection went live. “All without my permission and consent,” he added. “SMH I wouldn’t buy it if I were you.” In a follow-up post, he called the line “garbage” and encouraged his fans to save their money, saying, “I didn’t approve it, don’t buy it.” It it’s unclear if Bieber’s consent was actually required to sell the merch. H&M initially responded with a statement obtained by the Cut, which said, “As with all other licensed products and partnerships, H&M has followed proper approval processes.” The brand later told BuzzFeed, “Out of respect for the collaboration and Justin Bieber, we have the Garments removed from our stores and online.”
According to @jbiebertraacker’s post on Instagram, the merch included a white sweatshirt with a collage of Bieber photos, a matching tote bag (the only item apparently available for purchase on US H&M website) and “World Tour” tags merch (Bieber had to cancel his Justice World Tour earlier this year due to ill health.) It also apparently included a phone case and sweatshirt with the “Ghost” lyric “I miss you more than life.” Before posting his stories, Bieber commented on @jbiebertraacker’s photo and wrote, “When everyone finds out I haven’t approved any of this merch smh.”
Justin Bieber says new H&M merch is being sold without his permission or consent 😳 pic.twitter.com/Vv63GowZKv
– DANI MEDINA (@danimedinanews) December 19, 2022
Bieber appears to have taken no legal action against the retailer, according to Page Six.
This post has been updated.
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