Buckhead Coalition president
Sam Massell
has been fielding phone calls from all over the place about a move to protest pop star
Justin Bieber
moving into the neighborhood, but it turns out that the nonBeliebers marching on the side of the road were part of a silly prank.
Massell, as always, saw opportunity regardless. He said his daughter, vocalist Melanie Massell, "is beside herself" at the idea of Bieber moving in. "She thinks I've made it big time."
And maybe the two can collaborate?
"That'd make me rich," Massell said. "Then I could retire. If I meet him I'll be cordial like I would with anyone else. I suspect he has a good side."
Although the ban-Bieber movement did attract interest and Facebook comments from actual Buckhead residents, this morning's spectacle was just a joke. The "businessmen" parading with signs urging Bieber to beat it were imposters.
Massell got a good chuckle over the "controversy."
"We've had calls from CNN, from the UK, from the daily newspaper in Canada," he said. "It's made international news. There are so many other things more important to concentrate on. This too shall pass."
Bieber - sorry, make that "Bizzle" - has been back in Atlanta for several weeks now working on a new recording project. He has been spotted at an east Cobb County ice rink, an area Zaxby's, the Phipps Plaza movie theater and partying with other artists including Jermaine Dupri, Diddy and Rick Ross.
"Back in my second home," he tweeted not long after getting to town. "Good to be back. Focused on building up positive energy."
He followed that one up with a post showing himself and artist T.I. in the studio.
Things haven't been so great in Bieber's legal life lately. He got back into town after getting arrested in Miami and turning himself in to authorities in Toronto to respond to a charge that he attacked a limo driver.
He's renting producer Dallas Austin's uniquely designed home at the moment and reportedly wishes to plant permanent roots here.
Bieber didn't specifically address the faux protest movement but appeared to know what's up.
"I guess I'm an easy target for some," he said in a recent Twitter post. "I'm still human. I will continue to meet hate with love. It's all about the music. Much love."
He followed that up with "Thanks to all those Beliebers out there inspiring me everyday" and "Keeping it positive always."
About the Author
