The internet has launched more music icons than can be counted, but few have reached the global scale of Justin Bieber. The Canadian star drew attention with catchy tunes and polished performances, turning fans across North America and beyond into devoted followers. Close behind him, American teen Greyson Chance emerged as a formidable challenger, captivating audiences with a poised piano driven debut. This piece follows a round by round look at their early momentum to evaluate how their paths diverged and converged across the United States and Canada.
ROUND 1: YOUTUBE ATTENTION
JUSTIN BIEBER: Bieber’s breakthrough began when his mother posted clips of his performances online, starting with a rendition of Ne-Yo’s So Sick at a local event. While young fans nicknamed him kidrauhl, none of the early videos topped seven million views before a formal record deal arrived that changed his life.
GREYSON CHANCE: Greyson’s rise mirrored the power of a viral moment. He posted a piano driven cover of Lady Gaga’s Paparazzi at a local talent show, and the clip quickly climbed to the top of YouTube’s Most Viewed list, reaching nearly thirty million views in a short span and generating high expectations.
The web rallied behind Greyson, creating a buzz Bieber would soon feel as he watched the online conversation shift in his rival’s direction. After this round the pressure was on Bieber to respond with an even stronger online presence.
SCORE: JUSTIN BIEBER – 0 GREYSON CHANCE – 1
ROUND 2: CHART TOPPER CHALLENGE
JUSTIN BIEBER: When the measure of success is mainstream chart presence, Bieber was already writing history. His early singles like Baby and One Less Lonely Girl positioned him as a dominant force, and he became the first artist to have seven singles from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100.
GREYSON CHANCE: Greyson’s path remained less clear. He captured online attention, but a top selling album had yet to materialize. The potential was undeniable, yet the chart gatekeepers hadn’t confirmed a long lasting chart breaker for him.
There is no doubt about Bieber’s chart traction, and he takes the point in this round.
SCORE: JUSTIN BIEBER – 1 GREYSON CHANCE – 1
ROUND 3: BEAVER FEVER
JUSTIN BIEBER: When Canadian talent crosses into the US market, the mania can spread fast. The Stratford, Ontario native did more than weather the pressure; he turned Bieber Fever into a global phenomenon and demonstrated that Canadian artistry could compete with the best in the world.
GREYSON CHANCE: Born in Texas and raised in Oklahoma, Greyson drew admiration for his poised performances, yet the hype around his budding career had not reached fever levels.
The Canuck side edges ahead again, with Bieber nudging the scoreboard to maintain the lead for Canada.
SCORE: JUSTIN BIEBER – 2 GREYSON CHANCE – 1
ROUND 4: SONG WRITING STREET CRED
JUSTIN BIEBER: Bieber has writing credits on many of his tracks, yet the process has been highly collaborative and often polished by industry writers. While his talent is clear, the songs sometimes felt over produced and the emotional note might not always land as authentically as some listeners want.
GREYSON CHANCE: Greyson brings real musical instincts. He wrote at least two songs entirely on his own, including Broken Hearts with an honest, memorable melody and raw lyrical honesty. If the singing path doesn’t work out, songwriting could be a natural fit for him.
Greyson’s writing approach nudges Bieber toward more honest storytelling, and the round remains tied.
SCORE: JUSTIN BIEBER – 2 GREYSON CHANCE – 2
ROUND 5: THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE
JUSTIN BIEBER: Bieber arrived as a star in his own right; Usher spotted him early, a five time Grammy winner who beat out Justin Timberlake for the signing. That mentorship and the industry backing accelerated Bieber’s path to global fame.
GREYSON CHANCE: Greyson gained a record deal after appearing on Ellen DeGeneres show, becoming the first artist signed to her Eleveneleven label. The platform provided opportunities, but did not seal the same meteoric rise Bieber enjoyed.
Greyson continues to push for bigger stages, yet Bieber remains a step ahead.
SCORE: JUSTIN BIEBER – 3 GREYSON CHANCE – 2
ROUND UP: This was Greyson’s moment to shine, but Justin’s momentum and wider reach carried the day. Greyson’s powerful voice and growing songwriting skills mark him as a promising artist, but Bieber’s global visibility keeps him ahead in the North American pop narrative.
SCORE: JUSTIN BIEBER – 3 GREYSON CHANCE – 2