Justin Bieber's Mother Pattie Mallette Was Sexually Abused

Justin Bieber's fandom probably already knows about his humble beginnings as a young Canadian YouTube phenomenon. But what most of Bieber nation had no way of knowing is that his devoted mother, Pattie Mallette, had overcome more than teen pregnancy and financial hardship.

Mallette, 36, has published a memoir, Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom, in which she opens up about her roller-coaster past, including losing her virginity at age 15 and becoming pregnant with JB at only 17.

Bieber's mother also reveals that she is a survivor of sexual abuse. In an interview with Kathie Lee Gifford on Tuesday's Today show, Mallette recalls how after a teenage suicide attempt resulting from the abuse, a Christian counselor at a psychiatric ward where she was recovering helped her have a spiritual epiphany.

"I just knew I couldn't [have an abortion]. I just knew I couldn't," Mallette -- who says she was "messed up" on drugs and alcohol when she tried to commit suicide -- said.

"I just know I had to keep him," she told Gifford. "I didn't know how I was going to do it. But I just knew that I couldn't abort. I had to do my best. I had to see what I could do. And I was determined to do whatever it took."

As an abuse survivor who persevered and is now the mother of one of the most successful musicians in the world, Mallette says she penned her memoir to help other young girls not lose hope.

"I pretty much bared my soul. It definitely furthered my healing process," she says of Nowhere But Up. "Justin's really supportive, and really proud of me."

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/justin-biebers-mother-pattie-mallette-was-sexually-abused/1-a-488188

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