UPDATE #2: We've gotten in touch with Vanilla Ice, who is not denying his remarks but wants to put them in context.
I think the whole story is that Vanilla Ice is badmouthing Justin Bieber. That's just not true. I'm friends with him and I've hung out with him. I know his parents, they're very nice. I don't think he's going to be forgotten. I don't think he's going to be forgotten at all. In fact, I think he'll be remembered forever. I wish him all the best. I don't know how it all got so twisted around.
I think he's talented. What you guys might have picked up on is that I was giving him advice -- when you're a child star, it's hard to figure out your purpose in life. Not just with me, but if you follow other child stars, like Britney Spears, who's now doing great. There's a transitional period after such tremendous success that you have to figure out your life. There's a real life after all this entertainment.
I wasn't trying to say anything bad about anybody. I never badmouth him at all. It's been twisted into something bad, and once that's out there it takes on a life of its own. I don't have any reason to hate anybody; I believe in good karma and spreading good energy.
UPDATE: Vanilla Ice has taken to Twitter to deny making remarks about Bieber, but we have the audio.
"I just read the post that some one fabricated about me saying something about JB. It's Bull ! I actually know JB and we are friends," he tweeted Thursday night. On Friday he wrote, "It's amazing that the press will lie to create controversy! I think @justinbieber has made a impact that will never be forgotten."
Maybe the rapper simply forgot what he said. The interview was conducted June 1 and embargoed because his show does not start until August. A Vanilla Ice spokesman tells us:
"Rob in no way dislikes Bieber. He very much loves Bieber and his family, and believes him to be very talented. The way the quote is being taken is not what Rob meant. He just wanted to give some advice."
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LISTEN:
PREVIOUSLY: Listen up, Justin Bieber -- Vanilla Ice has some words of wisdom for you.
The rapper and actor, whose real name is Rob Van Winkle, is best known for his 1989 one-hit wonder “Ice Ice Baby.” Winkle knows exactly how fickle fame can be for a child star.
“I mean, I did ‘Ice Ice Baby’ when I was 16. So I can kind of relate a bit,” he says. “Sold over a hundred million records. And I had a weekend that lasted about three years, and I didn’t know who I was, what’s my purpose in life.”
Winkle’s fall from fame was a steep one, with subsequent records that were poorly received, drug abuse, and a suicide attempt. In recent years, however, Winkle has begun to rebuild his career with a new album and a role in the Adam Sander comedy, I Hate You, Dad.
Bieber, who turned 17 last spring, has become more than a mere pop star. With albums, movies, perfume, and an iconic hairstyle, he’s an international brand.
“So my prediction about Bieber is that he’s going to go through one of those weekends that lasts a few years because he’s had such success as a child act,” says Winkle. “You know, then something else new will come along and he’ll be forgotten and he can try to put all the pieces back together, so it’s going to be entertaining to watch.”
Interview conducted by Chris Jancelewicz
FULL TRANSCRIPT:
HuffPost: I have to ask you, what are your thoughts on Justin Bieber. I have to ask you. Vanilla Ice: Justin Bieber is, I mean, you know what, my kids love him. He's doing his thing. You gotta give him credit. He's got where he came from and everything, but he does have talent. HuffPost: I mean, that's what I thought when we were talking is that, you know, he's built up his own career.
Vanilla Ice: But he is for the kids right now, and he's going to go through a phase that he's going to have to -- I mean, I did Ice Ice Baby when I was 16. So I can kind of relate a little bit. HuffPost: You were 16 years old? Vanilla Ice: 16 when I wrote "Ice Ice Baby." Sold over a hundred million records. And I had a weekend that lasted about three years, and I didn't know who I was, what's my purpose in life, when everything, when the snow globe settles, you know it's all shaken up and things are going right, left, crazy. But when it settles, you've got to figure out who you are, what's your purpose in life, where do you fit in, and all that. You look at Britney Spears she didn't know either, she had to shave her head, she's on drugs, she's freaking out, people don't know what the hell she's thinking. That's because she was doing that transition. Now she's found herself, she's found her purpose, she's figured it out. You know what I mean? HuffPost: Yeah, totally different. You're right. Vanilla Ice: So my prediction about Bieber is that he's going to go through one of those weekends that lasts a few years because he's had such success as a child act. Now to make that transition and keep it going because what happens is is his fans are all kids right now, 13, 12 years old, whatever, they grow up, and they're in the 5th grade now, when they get into the 11th grade, people don't like the same music that they did in the 5th grade. [Unintelligible] It's ... like, oh my god, I liked that in the 5th grade! Oh yeah, you know, then something else new will come along and he'll be forgotten and he can try to put all the pieces back together so it's going to be entertaining to watch.
HuffPost: I never even thought of that. And this is what I mean, your perspective is so broad, you've been in the industry so long.