Justin Bieber took to Instagram Saturday night to send a sweet message to his mom, Patti Mallette.
“Love you mom!!” wrote Bieber in the caption, accompanying a photo of himself and his mother. “So proud of you and your heart for people.. you inspire me to be better…”
Meanwhile, People caught up with Mallette at the Justice Speaks Holiday Benefit Luncheon in L.A. on Saturday, where she was the keynote speaker.
Addressing rumours that Bieber and former girlfriend Selena Gomez are back together, Mallette said she couldn’t speak to the status of the relationship, but admitted that she shares a “special bond” with the 25-year-old “Wolves” singer.
“I don’t know so much about their personal relationship because he doesn’t share a whole lot, but I love her,” Mallette said of Gomez. “I support anything [Justin does], if he loves her I love her, and I’ve met her and we have a special bond so I think she’s precious. I can’t really speak on their relationship, that’s between them.”
People also reports that Bieber, 23, attended the event hosted by Justice Speaks, an organization that strives to end human and sex trafficking internationally by providing services to at-risk children. On hand to support his mom, Bieber reportedly carried a Bible with him throughout the event, and Mallette acknowledged her son’s spiritual journey.
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“I think he’s just keeping his focus on God, and really trying to figure out what counts and what matters,” she said. “I think he’s trying to be somehow normal in such an abnormal world, trying to find that balance. I feel like he’s growing up and I’m really proud of him.”
She added: “I think anyone with real love in their life is more grounded,” said Mallette. “I think there’s so much confusion sometimes and facade in this Hollywood world, and so it’s important for us to find the ones that truly care and stick with them.”