Justin Bieber Steals Spotlight in SZA’s LA Grand National Tour Show
Okay, but like… why did Justin Bieber pop up at SZA’s LA show out of nowhere? Last night at the Kia Forum, SZA’s Grand National Tour was running like clockwork—until Bieber sauntered onstage in a faded red hoodie to drop jaws and mic stands. According to TMZ’s first-look videos and an eyewitness nod from Variety, the crowd went from record-scratch quiet to full-blown hysteria in seconds.
SZA had already run through her setlist heavyweights—“Good Days,” “The Weekend,” “Kill Bill”—when she teased “a special guest who needs no introduction.” Cue Bieber, arms in the air, as he launched into a mash-up of his 2015 hit “What Do You Mean?” layered with SZA’s honey-soaked hook from “Love Galore.” Rolling Stone’s review notes that the duo hit every note with casual chemistry, channeling a raw energy that had fans filming nonstop. A rep for SZA later told People Magazine, “It was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments,” while Bieber himself posted a dripping-in-sunlight selfie captioned, “LA, you’ve been too kind. #GNT.”
From a tactical PR viewpoint, this surprise collab is genius. SZA’s tour has been selling out stadiums across North America since April, but last night’s pop-up alignment with one of pop’s biggest names sent ticket-resale prices through the roof—some reports pegged last-minute StubHub listings at a cool $800 a pop. Billboard data suggests streams of “What Do You Mean?” jumped 18 percent in the 24 hours after, while search interest for “SZA Justin Bieber collab” spiked globally.
Stage design for the surprise segment leaned into minimalist neon backdrops, ensuring the stars stayed front and center. Backstage footage (TMZ) shows both artists sharing a laugh and fist-bumping, hinting this might not be the last time they link up. Industry insiders tell Variety they’re already eyeing a summer single. Meanwhile, fan-shot clips are proliferating on TikTok under #BieberXSZA, fueling speculation about an upcoming joint project.
So, yeah, that’s the deal—Bieber crashing SZA’s Grand National Tour in L.A. was part flashy stunt, part genuine musical moment. It satisfied superfans and gave casual attendees something to text home about. If this trends, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Variety, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
