Justin Bieber's Saturday: Apologizes for Alleged Pot Use, Visits Cancer Patient

The Associated Press, Monday, January 7, 2013, 7:30am (PST)

Billboard -- Justin Bieber pressed reset on Saturday following a tough week that included the death of paparazzo who was trying to photograph him and later, the leak of photos allegedly showing him smoking pot.

The singer delayed the start of a concert in Salt Lake City in order to visit leukemia patient Millie Flamm, a 7-year-old too sick to attend the show. "He was so sweet to her," Amanda Flamm, Millie's mom, told Deseret News. "He walked in and her whole face just lit up."

Bieber Instagrammed a photo of him holding Flamm on Sunday, saying "Look at this bundle of joy.. I love her."

The night before this touching moment however, Bieber was more contrite than compassionate after TMZ posted what they claim to be photos of the singer smoking a blunt at a party in Newport Beach, Calif on Jan. 2.

Without explicitly admitting he had been smoking pot earlier in the week, Bieber did strike a humble tone on Twitter on Saturday.

"Everyday growing and learning. Trying to be better. U get knocked down, u get up," he wrote. "I see all of u. I hear all of u. I never want to let any of you down. I love u. and… thank u."

everyday growing and learning. trying to be better. u get knocked down, u get up.

- Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) January 5, 2013

Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, reacted to the recent spate of controversy as well, saying there's "A lot of bs out there...but this is the kid I KNOW" before tweeting a story of the singer visiting Flamm in Utah.

The star's year began in tragedy when on Jan. 1 a paparazzo who was tailing Bieber's Ferrari was struck and killed by another vehicle while trying to get back to his car. The rapper Lil Twist, a friend of Bieber's, was driving the ferrari and the pop star was not present at the time. Bieber's car was not involved in the accident and the singer later called for new legislation to protect celebrities.

"Hopefully this tragedy will finally inspire meaningful legislation and whatever other necessary steps to protect the lives and safety of celebrities, police officers, innocent public bystanders and the photographers themselves."

Related article on Billboard.com:

Justin Bieber Hopes to 'Shoot a Movie This Year'

_ _ _ _

Find more online: Billboard.com