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Justin Bieber seems to be pulling away from some of his longtime friends, and many believe his church might be a big reason why. TMZ’s new documentary, TMZ Investigates: What Happened to Justin Bieber?, now streaming on Hulu, suggests that Bieber’s church, Churchome—a Beverly Hills-based church led by Pastor Judah Smith—is influencing who he spends time with and how he lives his life.
One notable fallout is with Ryan Good, who was not only Bieber’s best man but also a creative director for his fashion brand, Drew House. According to TMZ sources, their friendship ended after Good left Churchome because he felt the church had cult-like tendencies. The documentary claims that Bieber and Pastor Judah confronted Good about his personal choices, including his sex life. They also reportedly confronted Bieber’s former manager, Scooter Braun, who is Jewish, over his lack of belief in Jesus. These incidents have sparked concerns about how much influence the church has over Bieber’s decisions and relationships.
When asked about the cult rumors, Pastor Judah Smith responded with humor during a recent talk, saying, “If we’re a cult, we’re the worst cult in history. We meet once a month, guys!” He joked about scaling back how often they gather, adding, “I stopped doing this every Wednesday. We’ve got to get better at this.” Smith also shared an encounter with paparazzi who bluntly asked if Churchome is a cult, something he said he had never been asked before.
Churchome hasn’t been without controversy. In 2023, the church faced a lawsuit from an employee who claimed they were forced to donate 10% of their gross income to the church. This legal issue raised questions about the church’s financial policies, though the case’s outcome remains unclear.
Amid all the speculation, Bieber took to Instagram last month to address the rumors, posting, “The feeling of guilt can be relieved… Not by going to church or reading ur Bible. But just receive that God forgives.” It seems he wants to reassure fans that his faith and forgiveness come from a personal place, regardless of outside opinions.