Despite the media’s skepticism, President Obama has persuaded pop singer Justin Bieber to meet a New Jersey teen whose dad died on Sept. 11, 2001. During his ground zero visit last week, Obama promised 14-year-old Payton Wall that he would help her meet her Bieber. More details after the jump!!
(CBS)–When 14-year-old Payton Wall asked the president for some help on meeting her favorite singer, Mr. Obama confidently said “he knew him” and could arrange for her to meet him. Turns out he was right.
NY Post reported that Wall, whose dad Glen was an executive at Cantor Fitzgerald when the Twin Towers were destroyed on 9/11, sent Bieber a message describing how she was inspired by his documentary “Never Say Never.”
“Hey! I have an awful life story and without your music I don’t know if I could have survived,” Payton wrote on Feb. 19. “Do you think I could send you a letter?”
When he didn’t respond, she sent a letter to President Obama. The 1,500 word missive, sent at the beginning of this month, must have been very convincing because the “belieber” received a response from the White House the very next day, according to New York magazine.
The president invited Wall and her mom and sister to ground zero, where he was laying a wreath. He told Wall that “he knew Justin Bieber” and would introduce them. Media outlets including New York magazine were skeptical of this promise, saying it was one that the president couldn’t keep.
Think again! According to TMZ, “Bieber was super-excited about getting the call – and told the White House he will DEFINITELY meet the girl when he returns to the U.S. and can get back to the East Coast.”
Bieber even responded to the skepticism that erupted in the media when he tweeted, “I think you’re wrong. pretty sure President @BarackObama will keep this promise.”