This morning on Today music’s biggest deal One Direction played for their diehard fans, many of whom had camped out since Friday of last week to ensure they’d get a spot in the crowd. Across the river last night, music’s other biggest deal, Justin Bieber, played Barclays. Reporter Brett Koshkin lives across the street from Barclays, and now the high-pitched screams of Beliebers soundtrack his nightmares, so constant they have been since noon yesterday. He ventured out to interview a few Beliebers for us . . . about One Direction. Their answers might very well lead to a pop music Benghazi , but we have no choice but to report them here. Apologies in advance when the blood Beliebers begin to fill our streets.
See Also:
– Justin Bieber Attack at NYC Macy’s Caught on Video
– Six Things To Know About One Direction, The Quintet Taking Over The Metropolitan Area For The Next Few Days
From Koshkin:
In my many years as a journalist, I’ve worked in disaster zones and received a couple of death threats. But nothing has ever shaken me like the outbreak of Bieber fever I witnessed yesterday at the Barclays Center. Tweens towing along really bummed-out fathers began showing up in droves during the late morning, and you could hear the fever pitch shrills from a few blocks away. By 4 o’clock, young girls in full homemade Bieber regalia had completely blocked off both sidewalks, wholly hopped up on the off chance of spotting the Bieber move from bus to venue. It was, hands down, the absolute worst place an adult male with a tape recorder interested in not seeming creepy could spend the afternoon.
He’s not kidding. To quote one of the girls in this short interview clip he sent along, “INTERVIEW US!!!”:
On with it now —
Vincenza, 16, from Queens
How long have you been a Belieber?
Four years, ever since he came out. I love him so much. You don’t even know.
So this is your first time to witness the Bieber live?
Actually, yes. It is.
Would you identify yourself as a Belieber?
Yes, I stalk him every day on Twitter. I love him so much.
So One Direction is playing Today . . .
No. No. No. No One Direction. Yeah, I don’t like them.
But why not, One Direction is the new thing?
Yeah, don’t get me wrong, they’re attractive and all, but Justin Bieber . . . I’ve loved him for four years.
So Bieber is more attractive than all five members of One Direction combined?
Yes.
If Justin Bieber and One Direction got into a fight, who would win?
Justin Bieber.
Would it be a clean fight or would Bieber use some dirty Canadian moves?
It wouldn’t be clean. Bieber would use some dirty moves on them for sure.
If Bieber had a superpower, what would it be?
He could fly because you know he has wings in the beginning of the show.
Juliana, 16, from Queens
How long have you been a Belieber?
Four years
Are you excited?
I’m really excited about the show tonight.
So One Direction is playing today as well, but you prefer the Biebs?
They’re OK and all, but they’re boring. There are a lot of boybands out there. Justin Bieber is just one guy. He’s much better.
So you’ve not gotten into the One Direction thing at all?
No, not at all.
Is it because One Direction is British?
No.
If Justin Bieber and One Direction got into a fight, who would win?
Justin Bieber would win because he’s hotter.
If Bieber had a superpower, what would it be?
To be invisible.
Adrianna, 16, from Queens
Would you say you’re a Belieber?
I’m more of a Jonas Brothers fan. My friends talked me into coming, but I like his music. He’s cute.
If the Jonas Brothers and Justin Bieber got into a fight, who would win?
The Jonas Brothers would take him, three against one.
What about if Justin Bieber and One Direction got into a fight? Who would win?
Justin Bieber would win. There’s something about him that would make him win.
Is this your first time to see Justin Bieber?
Yes, this is my first time.
Are you excited about tonight even though it’s not the Jonas Brothers?
Yeah, he’s good . . . just not the Jonas Brothers.
Wouldn’t you rather see One Direction? They have those nice accents.
Nah. I don’t think so.
Kate, left, 14, from Burlington, New Jersey
How long have you been a Belieber?
Forever. Since 2009.
Are you excited?
[On the verge of tears] Yeah.
So One Direction is playing Today . . .
I don’t care. I mean, they’re good and all, but it’s all about Bieber.
But One Direction is the new thing?
No. They’re nothing. Justin Bieber is just better.
Why is that?
Because he’s just a helpful person and so inspirational and helps everyone. He’s perfect and soooo good at singing. He’s so attractive.
If Justin Bieber and One Direction got into a fight, who would win?
Justin Bieber. It’d be five on one but still, Justin Bieber would win.
If Bieber had a superpower, what would it be?
He would be able to teleport.
Taylor, right in photo above, 13, from Burlington, New Jersey
How long have you been a Belieber?
Since 2009.
Have you seen him before?
No, this is my first time.
Are you excited?
Yeah. He’s just so amazing.
What’s so amazing about the Bieber?
Everything. There’s no bad part about him. He’s just amazing.
So you’re not a One Direction fan? Why not?
No. They’re good and all, but Justin Bieber is just perfect.
So what makes Bieber so much better than One Direction?
Everything! [Screaming]
But we’re talking about five attractive guys who can sing here.
Five, but it’s against one. You can’t compare them. If you like Bieber, you can’t like One Direction. They’re just different.
So there can be only one? Kinda like the boyband version of the Highlander?
[Blank stare]
If Bieber had a superpower, what would it be?
To fly or be invincible.
So did your parents get you out of school early to hang out outside the Barclays Center?
My parents got me out early, and my friends and I have been here since 2 p.m. We haven’t seen him yet. We wanted to leave really early, but our parents wouldn’t let us.
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