Entertainment

Justin Bieber hopes to break into adult market with next album

LOS ANGELES — Justin Bieber is hoping to attract adult fans with his upcoming album while simultaneously holding on to the teen followers that brought him his fame.

Bieber told MTV News Monday he will “break out of [his] shell” with his upcoming release, “Believe.”

“You can’t really expect anything from my album. It’s really, really different … It’s not the same thing everyone’s used to hearing right now,” he said.

His comments prompted some of his die-hard admirers, known as “Beliebers,” to fret that he was shedding his roots.

“I don’t plan on ever losing any fans. Young or old. Only gaining more and more respect,” Bieber assured his 18.1 million followers.

“MJ [Michael Jackson] never left the kids, he just grew with them,” the 18-year-old added, promising to still deliver his trademark swag.

Jackson, who died in 2009 at age 50, started as a six-year-old boy with The Jackson 5 and later launched a massively successful solo career, earning the title as the King of Pop.

Bieber, who got his start as a 14-year-old YouTube sensation, will release his third studio album later in 2012.

He will be collaborating with rapper Kanye West, hip-hop star Drake, singer Cody Simpson — dubbed the Aussie version of Bieber — and pop singer Ke$ha on his upcoming album.

The album’s first single, “Boyfriend,” will be released March 26.