Justin Bieber & The Kid Laroi Reveal the Sweet Story Behind ‘Stay’

The Kid Laroi gets more vulnerable than ever with fans on his newest Prime Video documentary Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About A Kid Named LAROI, and in the film, the 20-year-old Australian star opens up about his relationship with Justin Bieber, from friendship and musical collaborators to mentorship.

“From the moment I met Justin, it was just all about positivity coming in here. No judgment zone, let’s all have fun,” Laroi says in the doc, before Bieber recalls: “He plays me this song, ‘Stay,’ and it was him on it by himself. He was like, ‘I don’t think I’m gonna use it for my album.’ I was like, ‘Well, if you don’t use it, give it to me. I’ll use it. This is a great song.’”

“Stay” spent seven non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100, and the diamond-certified anthem won Top Hot 100 Song as well as Top Collaboration honors at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards.

Elsewhere in the documentary, Bieber offers Laroi encouragement while he’s rehearsing. “When you’re singing, believe everything you’re saying while you’re singing,” he tells him. “It helps so much. Sing it and really think about what you’re saying. I’m sure you do that.”

In another scene, Bieber is seen laying on the floor, shouting: “That’s a f—ing great song. You wrote that, bro. That’s f—ing sick!”

Directed by Michael D. Ratner and produced by OBB Pictures, the documentary takes viewers on a journey following The Kid LAROI — born Charlton Howard — and how he deals with fame amid the massive commercial success of “Stay” leading into his The First Time debut album, which arrived in November and included the singles “Love Again” and “Too Much” with Jung Kook and Central Cee.

Kids Are Growing Up: A Story About A Kid Named LAROI is streaming on Prime Video now.

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.