Justin Bieber has built incredible fame and fortune - and in a mere three years.
The world's female teenage population swoons at the sight of his floppy hair and the sound of his youthful singing voice - he is feted as being the most successful child star since Michael Jackson.
He's arrived: Justin Bieber, left, hugs the new waxwork figure of himself at Madame Tussaud
But the 17-year-old Canadian singer-songwriter, having finished a gruelling worldwide 140-date tour from Manchester to Melbourne, was looking forward to promotion of his new Christmas album.
Out and about: Selena Gomez at a charity event in L.A. last nightBut the wholesome image he has forged, could be tarnished. He has denied allegations that he has fathered an illegitimate love child with a 20-year-old fan.
Mariah Yeater, the fan in question, was today pictured on the cover of U.S. magazine Star (see below) with Bieber's alleged son, Tristyn Anthony Markhouse Yeater, who was born on July 6.
It's not only fans that will be shocked by the allegations. Bieber's girlfriend Selena Gomez, a 19-year-old actress and singer, will surely be rocked by the claims.
This latest development is in stark contrast to the squeaky clean image Bieber has forged which, along with his looks and musical talent, have helped create a fortune.
Bieber was talent spotted on YouTube just three years ago, and now earns an estimated $300,000 (£183,000) a concert in addition to rivers of cash from record sales, merchandising, personal appearances and celebrity endorsements. His first song, Baby, has been viewed 500m times on YouTube.
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Estimates suggest he has already banked at least $100m (£61m) and counting. He was ranked third in a power league of entertainment by Forbes, measuring influence and earnings, in May. Lady Gaga was number one.
Bieber's massive appeal - he is the second most popular celebrity on Twitter - again behind Lady Gaga - with 14million followers, up from 8million six months ago - means he commands huge sums for the most fleeting of appearances in advertisements.
On stage: He earns an estimated $300,000 per concert
He was paid a staggering $1m (£610,000) for donning a space suit and uttering a few words in a 30-second ad for technology retail giant Best Buy transmitted during the US Super Bowl earlier this year - one of the most sought-after spots for advertisers - and his baby-face looks led him to win a $3m (£1.2m) two-year deal to endorse the U.S. acne treatment ProActiv.
He also supplements his income by putting his name to a bed linen range, headphones, scented children's jewellery and even a brand of nail varnish called One Less Lonely Girl.
New vocabulary has also been coined on the back of Bieber's swift rise to prominence: fans are 'Beliebers' and the infectious nature of his popularity is 'Bieber fever'. Such is his popularity that his concert tickets sell out in minutes.
Scooter Braun, the pop manager who spotted the teen wonder's potential while scouring YouTube, took Bieber to meet US R&B giant Usher and between them they have helped orchestrate the singer's rapid rise to fame and fortune.
Despite the heartthrob's vast earnings and tough schedule, the 5' 2" singer receives an allowance of just $50 a day, is grounded if he misbehaves and must do regular school work, according to an interview with the star and his keepers in the News of the World. Braun was quoted as saying: 'We have these rules to keep him in line. We treat him like any other teenager.'
Bieber added: 'My mom wants me to learn how to be very smart with my money'.
Born on 1 March 1994, in Stratford, Ontario, to struggling single mum Pattie Mallette, Bieber taught himself to play piano, drums and the trumpet, and took part in singing competitions in his hometown.
Famous friends: Bieber with David Beckham at an LA Lakers game
He made it on to YouTube thanks to his mum uploading video footage.
His 2010 debut album My World 2.0 topped the US charts and went double platinum, while his catchy 'Baby' single shot up the charts worldwide.
Earlier this year his 3D movie 'Justin Bieber: Never Say Never' helped to boost 'the Biebs' bank coffers further - after just two weeks the film took $48m (£29m) in ticket sales in the US.
And he earns yet more cash from on Beliebers who take their obsession to the next level by collecting a series of Bieber dolls (UK RRP £15.99 each) that present him in different outfits. Those who want to add some authentic voice to the doll have to stump up as much as £69.99 for the version that also sings 'Baby'. Bieber fever indeed.
