Justin Bieber, the Canadian pop sensation who’s sold over 150 million records worldwide, turned a casual ride into a painful reminder that even superstars aren’t immune to gravity’s pull. The 31-year-old singer revealed a “gnarly” rib injury sustained from a fall off his Onewheel electric skateboard during a candid four-hour Twitch livestream on November 13, 2025. While rehearsing hits like “What Do You Mean?” and “Purpose” for his headlining slot at Coachella 2026, Bieber clutched his side and confessed to viewers, “My ribs hurt so much, bro. That fall the other day? It hurts to laugh, talk—even singing.” The mishap, which landed him awkwardly on his hip, comes as Bieber ramps up for his first major festival performance since health setbacks sidelined him in 2022, proving once again that his path to the stage is anything but smooth sailing.

Bieber’s Onewheel—a self-balancing electric skateboard popular among tech-savvy thrill-seekers—has been a staple in his laid-back LA lifestyle, often spotted cruising neighborhood streets with wife Hailey Bieber or their 14-month-old son, Jack Blues. But on this occasion, the board’s single large wheel betrayed him mid-ride, sending the “Peaches” crooner sprawling. “I fell on my side and landed on my hip,” he explained to his bandmates post-rehearsal, twisting uncomfortably in a chair surrounded by baby gear like a playpen and dinosaur rocker. Fans watching the stream—his second on Twitch after a debut in October—peppered the chat with concern, one asking directly about his well-being. Bieber, ever the open book, didn’t sugarcoat it: “I’m trying to play it cool, but this is messing with me.” No hospital visit was mentioned, but the discomfort was palpable; he winced through vocal runs and band jams, powering on like the trooper who’s headlined arenas since his teen “Baby” days.

This isn’t Bieber’s first brush with physical setbacks. Back in June 2022, he was diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare neurological disorder triggered by the varicella-zoster virus that causes facial paralysis—leading to the cancellation of his Justice World Tour dates. The condition left him unable to blink his right eye or fully control half his face, prompting a hiatus filled with therapy, family time, and eventual recovery that fans tracked via raw Instagram updates. By July 2025, he staged a triumphant return with Swag, his seventh studio album, followed swiftly by Swag II—both dropping to critical acclaim and debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Tracks like the introspective “Speed Demon” now feel eerily prescient, given his latest wipeout. “Hailey was a big influence on my Coachella decision,” a source close to the couple told Us Weekly in September, noting her role in hyping him up after years of health hurdles. The Biebers, married since 2018, welcomed Jack in August 2024 amid whispers of a second child, with Hailey recently hinting at expansion plans.

Coachella 2026 marks Bieber’s headlining debut at the iconic Indio, California festival, spanning two weekends from April 10-19 alongside acts like Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G. Announced in October, the gig is his first major stage since the 2022 tour axing, blending high-stakes nostalgia with fresh material from his Swag era. “This is our space for the next few months—excited,” Bieber said during the stream, surveying the rehearsal space like a kid in a candy store. Past Coachella cameos—like joining Ariana Grande in 2019 or Tems in 2024—teased his return, but this full set promises pyrotechnics, aerial visuals, and crowd sing-alongs to anthems that defined a generation. Despite the rib woes, he pushed through the session, belting “Sorry” with a live band and declaring, “The show must go on.”

The incident adds a relatable wrinkle to Bieber’s image evolution. Once the teen idol plagued by tabloid chaos—think egging scandals and custody battles—he’s morphed into a family man and genre-bender, collaborating with everyone from The Kid Laroi to Don Toliver. Swag’s trap-infused vibes and Swag II’s acoustic pivots earned Grammy buzz, with Bieber nabbing three nods for the 2026 ceremony. Offstage, he’s leaned into dad life: Sharing “tense” birth stories from Jack’s arrival on Twitch, crediting Hailey’s doula-led labor for teaching him “instinctual” partnership. Recent red carpet awkwardness at the GQ Men of the Year Awards—where he and Hailey faced viral scrutiny—only amplified the human side, with fans defending their low-key vibe.

Social media swarmed post-stream. #BieberOnewheelFail trended with 1.8 million mentions, fans posting safety PSAs alongside memes of Bieber as a “speed demon” gone wrong—one viral edit synced his fall confession to “Yummy” lyrics twisted for “Ouchie.” TikTok exploded with 5 million views of clip compilations, blending sympathy (“Get well, JB—Coachella needs you!”) with humor (“Electric skateboards: 1, Bieber: 0”). Fellow celebs chimed in: Hailey reposted with prayer hands, while Post Malone— a Swag collaborator—DM’d well-wishes, per insiders. Onewheel’s parent company, Future Motion, even tweeted a tongue-in-cheek safety tip: “Ride smart, heal fast—Bieber’s got this.”

Recovery looks straightforward—no breaks confirmed, just bruising and soreness that docs say mends in 4-6 weeks with rest and ice. Bieber’s no stranger to pushing limits; post-Ramsay Hunt, he dove into therapy vlogs that inspired millions facing chronic issues. This rib tweak? A blip, but a timely one: With Coachella five months out, he’s got buffer for healing. Philanthropy remains core too—his Bieber Foundation just pledged $500,000 to children’s mobility programs, ironically tying into adaptive tech like safer skate aids.

Bieber’s camp downplayed severity: “A minor setback in an otherwise epic prep phase,” a rep told E! News. Yet, it spotlights broader risks; Onewheel faced 2023 scrutiny after four fatalities from sudden “nosedives,” prompting CPSC warnings and a voluntary recall of older models. Bieber’s board was a newer iteration, but the scare underscores the gadget’s thrill-vs.-danger balance for adrenaline junkies.

In Bieber’s world—where tours gross hundreds of millions and TikToks rack billions—this tumble humanizes the icon. From Stratford, Ontario busker to global phenom, he’s weathered storms bigger than a bruised side: Lyme disease in 2020, mental health battles chronicled in his 2020 doc Seasons. Now, as a dad headlining Coachella, the rib ache feels like a rite of passage—proof he’s living fully, flaws and falls included. Fans await his next stream: Maybe a helmet demo or acoustic set from the couch. For now, ice packs and optimism: Bieber’s bouncing back, one careful step (or wheel) at a time. Coachella, brace yourselves—the Biebs is coming, ribs and all.