If you can’t beat the internet, why not join in? That seems to be Justin Bieber’s philosophy this week, as the pop star took to Instagram to poke fun at himself after a now-viral clip of his “standing on business” rant took over social media.
On Thursday, June 19, the 31-year-old singer leaned into the meme frenzy, posting a series of playful Instagram Stories that referenced the trending phrase. The posts appeared to be Bieber’s cheeky response to the viral moment, which stemmed from a tense interaction with paparazzi earlier this month.
In one slide, Bieber shared a selfie accompanied by the track Stand on Business by Myia B Music, featuring lyrics like: “She said I stand on business / Every word I say… I don’t play no game.” The lighthearted trolling didn’t stop there. In another clip, Bieber maintained a deadpan expression while Standing on Business by Soulja Rilla played in the background.
He then cracked a smile in a following video soundtracked by Dat Business by Fredo Bang. Adding to the self-aware humor, Bieber even included a remix of his now-iconic soundbite, which has since gained major traction on TikTok. The quote has been remixed, parodied, and shared widely, turning the pop star into an unexpected meme star.
The internet frenzy began after a heated confrontation with paparazzi in Malibu on June 13. Clearly irritated by the constant invasion of his privacy—a recurring issue for the global celebrity—Bieber lashed out at the photographers. “You’re not getting it. It’s not clocking to you. It’s not clocking to you that I’m standing on business, is it?” he said in the now-infamous exchange.
The passionate phrase quickly made its way online, where fans and meme creators applied it to everything from movie clips and TV characters to historical moments and pets. The phrase “standing on business” became symbolic of asserting oneself, and Bieber’s delivery only made it more quotable.
Rather than resisting the viral attention, Bieber’s decision to laugh along with the internet has earned him praise from fans. Many took to social media to applaud the singer’s sense of humor and self-awareness. Though the original context of his comment was serious, Bieber’s meme embrace signals a softer, more playful side—one that reminds fans why he remains a relatable figure despite his fame.
