WATCH: Justin Bieber explains why he broke down in tears at the MTV VMAs

MANILA, Philippines – At the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) last Sunday, August 30, pop star Justin Bieber broke down in tears following his performance of “Where Are U Now” and “What Do You Mean?”  In a new interview with Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon, Justin explained why he got very emotional after his performance. 

“It was just so overwhelming for me, everything. Just the performance. I missed some cues, so I was a little disappointed at that, and just everyone, their support,” he told Jimmy. 

“Let me breathe for a second. I just wasn’t expecting them to support me in the way they did…last time, I was at an awards show, and I was booed.

“I think it’s just like, I worked so hard at this album, I’ve worked so hard at just becoming the man I wanna become. And then like, stepping into situations, you just can’t help but feel judged. So I was just feeling judged and just wanting to win so badly, and just wanting to do what I love so badly that I just put everything on line. And I think that what was so special about the emotional moment at the end was that it was authentic, it was real…I was really just wanting it so bad.” 

Watch Justin’s performance here:

Justin on Thursday, September 3 broke the record for biggest first week on streaming service Spotify.

The 21-year-old Canadian singer’s “What Do You Mean?” has been streamed more than 21 million times globally since its release on August 28, Spotify said.

The Swedish streaming leader said that the figure, which looked at only the first 5 days, already accounted for a first-week record.

The previous record, at 20 million streams, was set last month by British boy band One Direction for “Drag Me Down,” the group’s first track since original member Zayn Malik left.

Bieber enjoyed a spike in streams after he performed at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Jimmy said he supported Justin’s journey, telling him encouragingly, “You went out there and you just really did a great job…you went and you found people, right? You sought after people who are going to change your life and inspire you.”

Justin laughed and said simply, “Well what it was is that I just had a bunch of knuckleheads around me, that was pretty much it…never good to have knuckleheads around.

“I just went through a place of just trying to figure it out and making decisions. You have to figure out what you’re okay with and what you’re not okay with but you have to test the waters. I just happened to be in the spotlight, in front of cameras all the time, and they caught all those moments, so.”

He also announced that his album would drop November 13th.  

Justin once enjoyed a squeaky clean image but has in recent years had frequent run-ins with the law, including one in Canada when he allegedly assaulted a limousine driver.

Previously, he pleaded guilty to lesser charges after taking part in an illegal drag race on a Miami street.

He was sentenced to two years’ probation last year for throwing eggs at the home of a neighbor in California.

His 2013 tour stop, Bieber’s only visit to Argentina, was peppered with scandals.

But Justin seems to be working hard to improve his public image. Last January, he posted a video apology for his “arrogant” behavior. Since then, he’s released new music, too – check out the music video for “Where Are U Now” here. 

What do you think of Justin’s VMA performance? Still a Belieber? Let us know in the comments below. – with reports from AFP/Rappler.com