Justin Bieber crying after his unforgettable VMAs 2015 performance remains an iconic moment within the popular singer’s fandom.

Casting our minds back to the year 2015 may feel like looking into another world. That being said, some of the performances from that year’s MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) were so powerful and potent that audiences can recall them as if they’d happened yesterday. It was a big year for the celebrity award show, boasting performances from Taylor Swift, The Weeknd, and finally Miley Cyrus, the evening’s host who closed the annual event with the song Dooo It! Of all the stars to take the stage those years ago, Justin Bieber‘s performance has perhaps made the most lasting impression…

Justin Bieber cried on stage at 2015 VMAs in iconic moment

Held on August 30, the 2015 VMAs preceded the release of Justin’s hotly anticipated fourth studio album, Purpose.

Considered by many to boast some of his greatest music, singles like Love Yourself and Sorry were gargantuan releases at the time and now have the power to nostalgically transport us back to the second half of the 2010s. At the VMAs, he hopped on stage to perform the tracks Where Are U Now and What Do You Mean?

The latter song was his new single, leaving audiences blown away. However, nobody was more blown away than Justin himself, who was 21 at the time. When the two-song set was finished, he remained on stage and erupted into tears.

After wiping away the tears, the cameras cut to him leaning down and continuing to sob, the sound of which was drowned out by the thunderous applause from the crowd.

Justin had been dating Selena Gomez before they broke up in October 2014. She was present at the VMAs but when Justin performed she wasn’t seated at the venue. They later rekindled their romance in 2017 before they split for good, Justin now with his wife Hailey and Selena with her boyfriend Benny Blanco.

Some speculated his tears were shed over her. On the other hand, a source once told the US blog Gossip Cop [via The Independent] that his emotional outburst wasn’t about her at all.

“He didn’t know how people would accept him. When he saw them on their feet cheering, he was overwhelmed,” the source alleged. “Last time he was on an award show he was booed. This time he was cheered for. It meant a lot to him.”

Fans say he ‘found his way back home’ that year

Justin’s fans hold the VMAs performance sacred, hailing it as a significant moment in his growth.

“He was so surprised when he saw that his fans were still there for him after all, and he even won some other’s hearts on the run,” one reacted in heartfelt awe. “He was the lost sheep, but he found his way back home.”

“Probably my favorite live performance ever,” another also looked back. “Just incredible.”

“He gave his all during this performance,” a Belieber echoed. “Incredible. I love this guy.”

Revisiting it, another commented: “Crying every time I see this… his comeback… so talented.” The 2024 VMAs will have to pull something seriously special out of the bag to top it.