Pattie Mallette's emotional prayer accompanies Justin Bieber's Coachella return

Pattie Mallette posted a series of black-and-white images of her son Justin Bieber on Instagram on Monday, accompanied by a lengthy prayer asking for freedom, strength, clarity, and healing as he resumes public life and music after prioritizing his health. The post arrived the same day Bieber shared new family photos at the Empire Polo Club, the site of Coachella, fueling conversation about his upcoming performance and the direction of his career.

The message Mallette wrote to her more than a million followers emphasized spiritual restoration and protection, describing a desire for Bieber to be filled with love and comfort and to become a testimony of God’s power. In part, the post read: “I declare freedom, strength, clarity, and healing over you Justin. Every chain of fear, confusion, heaviness, and pain—be broken in Jesus' name. Holy Spirit, surround him with TRUTH, LIGHT, and PROTECTION. HEAL EVERY WOUND in his heart, mind and body, seen and unseen, restore what's been stolen, and cover him in WHOLENESS.” The photo accompanying the caption showed Bieber wearing a shirt reading “Pray for Me.”

The posted prayer and the accompanying images drew thousands of supportive comments from fans and fellow believers. Some commenters framed the message as a mother’s prayer and expressed their own prayers for the singer, while others described Bieber’s return as a personal revival moment. Bieber has long been open about the pressures of fame, mental health, and physical illness, including a 2022 Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis that led to partial facial paralysis and a period of rehabilitation.

Insiders say Bieber’s Coachella appearance marks a milestone in a broader comeback plan. On the competitive front, Bieber is aiming to blend material from his Swag I and Swag II projects with a set that nods to his earlier catalog, while also incorporating fresh work in what some describe as a rebirth era. A person close to the singer noted that Bieber views the festival as the stage for a new chapter, one that positions him as a fully autonomous artist capable of shaping both the show and the surrounding narrative.

Hailey Bieber was identified by multiple sources as a compelling influence on Justin’s decision to headline Coachella. According to insiders, she nudged him toward the festival and remains supportive of his return to a high-profile public platform. With about seven months until the two-weekend event, talks are said to be progressing on the stage concept, guest appearances, and how much of his new material versus his classic hits will anchor the performance. One insider described the plan as a celebration of the artist’s career and his current place in it, while another suggested he is weighing a performance that emphasizes his personal evolution.

Financial details underscored the scale of Bieber’s Coachella return. A Rolling Stone source confirmed that Bieber secured a two-weekend deal worth more than $10 million, a record for the festival and a figure that places him among the highest-paid headliners in its history. Unlike many headliners who negotiate through agencies, Bieber is said to have conducted the talks directly with Goldenvoice, the festival’s promoter. That direct negotiation is viewed by insiders as part of Bieber’s broader push for creative independence and control over his live presentation.

The advance of this year’s Coachella plans comes as Bieber’s team promotes Swag I and Swag II, a two-part album project that was initially conceived as back-to-back releases. Industry insiders credit Bieber with driving the projects and the associated rollout, with several sources stating he had “100 percent creative freedom.” Critics and industry observers have described the return as one of the most significant reinventions of a long-running pop icon in recent memory, with insiders noting that the two albums are designed to reintroduce Bieber as a more mature and self-directed artist.

This period also marks a notable moment for Bieber’s live ambitions. A separate source described the plan as a multi-faceted celebration of his career—one that aims to honor his past while signaling his intent to redefine his artistic identity in the present. With a headline slot at Coachella, Bieber stands to reach a broad audience of long-time fans and new listeners, a balance that industry insiders say is a primary objective of the festival’s marquee acts. The event’s history and Bieber’s recent career trajectory alike contribute to heightened anticipation around what is expected to be a groundbreaking performance that blends spectacle with intimate, personal storytelling.

In summarizing the broader context, insiders reiterated that the Coachella engagement is less about a conventional comeback than a calculated reintroduction of Justin Bieber as an independent artist who embraces his past while aggressively shaping his future. As he steps into a festival stage that has previously featured top-tier acts at the height of their careers, Bieber’s team suggests the performance will be both a celebration and a statement about his current artistic voice. The public will gauge whether this new era lives up to the high expectations that have surrounded the singer since his early breakthrough and subsequent health challenges, and whether the Coachella show will set the tone for a continued, lasting resurgence in his music and public life.