At the 2013 Billboard Awards, Justin Bieber received the first-ever Milestone Award. For almost a minute between accepting his award and giving an acceptance speech, the room was filled with very loud cheers--and very loud boos. After the awkward pause of cheers and jeers, the 19-year-old singer stated that he "should be taken seriously."

True, much of the 19-year-old's fame and attention come from his young, loyal fans, but he still deserves his Milestone Award. As the youngest singer to achieve a record score of five No. 1 albums, he has become one of the biggest teen sensations of all time. However, despite winning two awards (the other being "Top Male Artist") and performing twice that night, he was still booed at the awards show. 

Of course, this is not the first time the "Beauty and a Beat" singer has received such an attitude from audiences. But at a time when he was announced for his achievements, one would assume that everyone would have at the very least been respectful of his recognition. 

The young singer expressed that he is "not a gimmick." He wants to be known as an artist, and he should be. In the awkward transition from his teeny-bopper days of "One Less Lonely Girl" into a more mature sound like "Boyfriend," it is easy for the public to declare that Justin Bieber is only producing the moneymaking sounds. However, he proves that he is clearly capable of being a serious artist. 

Justin Bieber has gone through a fair amount of criticism as he continues his music career, but his diehard fans do not seem to be leaving him anytime soon. Justin's boos could have been fans of the other nominees such as Bruno Mars or Taylor Swift who preferred their personal favorites to be recognized instead of Justin Bieber. 

The way the artist reacted to the jeering part of the crowd came off as defensive, and he probably could have handled the situation more maturely. Instead of simply accepting his award and giving thanks, he let everyone know that "all of this other bull should not be spoken of." Justin Bieber may not have deserved being booed when the Milestone Award was presented to him, but if he wants to be taken seriously, he will have to start acting like the artist he wants to be.

 

Reach Staff Reporter Dale Chong here. Follow her on Twitter here.