“Tell Me How I Can Help”: Justin Bieber Offers Support After Brittney Griner Sentenced to 9 Years in Russian Prison

MOSCOW / LOS ANGELES / WASHINGTON D.C. — The world watched in disbelief as WNBA star Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison for drug smuggling and possession. Just days after the shocking verdict, global pop icon Justin Bieber took to Instagram with an emotional post, expressing heartbreak and a genuine offer to help.

The moment marked an unusual and powerful crossover of sports, politics, and celebrity advocacy — and served as yet another sign that Griner’s detainment has become a global humanitarian crisis.

The Verdict That Sparked an Uproar

On Thursday, a court in the Moscow region found Brittney Griner guilty of intentionally smuggling and possessing illegal drugs, after she was arrested at Sheremetyevo International Airport in February for carrying vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.

Griner, 31, had earlier pleaded guilty, stating she had no intent to break the law, and that she had inadvertently packed the vape cartridges while rushing to leave the U.S. to return to play in Russia for UMMC Ekaterinburg.

The Russian court, however, dismissed arguments about intent and issued a 9-year sentence, sending shockwaves across the international community and sparking renewed outrage from athletes, activists, politicians, and celebrities alike.

Justin Bieber’s Emotional Post: “It’s Heartbreaking”

Among the first celebrities outside the sports world to respond was Justin Bieber, the Grammy-winning Canadian singer with over 293 million followers on Instagram.

“This is heartbreaking. If anyone knows of a way I can help, please let me know,” Bieber wrote, overlaying a news photo of Griner in court.
(Instagram Story, August 6)

The message was short — but it was powerful. Coming from a global figure known more for pop hits than political causes, Bieber’s post immediately went viral, reposted by sports pages, fan accounts, and advocacy groups across platforms like X (Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook.

From Pop to Politics: A Celebrity Using His Platform

This isn’t the first time Bieber has used his platform for humanitarian or social causes — he’s spoken on mental health, racial justice, and faith. But his support of Brittney Griner marked one of the most direct and politically charged statements of his career.

Many praised him for speaking out when others in the entertainment industry remained silent.

“It takes courage for someone like Justin Bieber to use his platform this way,” said one political analyst. “This isn’t just a retweet. This is putting your global brand on the line for a Black, queer, American athlete jailed in Russia.”

Brittney Griner’s Statement: Tearful Apologies, Plea for Mercy

Before her sentencing, Griner addressed the court in a heartfelt statement:

“I want to apologize to my teammates, my club, the fans, and the city of Ekaterinburg for my mistake and the embarrassment I caused them,” she said.
“I also want to apologize to my parents, my siblings, the Phoenix Mercury organization back home, the amazing women of the WNBA, and my amazing spouse back home.”

Griner appeared composed but emotional, speaking slowly through a translator, her words echoing through a packed courtroom.

“I made an honest mistake, and I hope that your ruling does not end my life,” she concluded.

Despite her remorse, the court delivered one of the harshest possible sentences under Russian drug laws.

President Biden Responds: “This Is Wrong and Unacceptable”

Just hours after the sentencing, U.S. President Joe Biden issued a public statement:

“Today, American citizen Brittney Griner received a prison sentence. This is yet another reminder of what the world already knows: Russia is wrongfully detaining Brittney. It’s unacceptable, and I call on Russia to release her immediately.”

Biden also reiterated that his administration is working “tirelessly” to secure the release of both Griner and Paul Whelan, another American imprisoned in Russia.

Why Was Griner in Russia?

Like many WNBA players, Brittney Griner supplements her income by playing overseas during the off-season — in her case, for the top Russian women’s team, UMMC Ekaterinburg.

With WNBA salaries significantly lower than their NBA counterparts, many players compete in Europe or Asia to earn a living wage. Griner had done so for years without issue — until now.

This fact has raised uncomfortable questions in the U.S. about gender pay equity, player safety, and why one of America’s best athletes had to travel abroad to be financially stable.

Medical Marijuana in Arizona — Illegal in Russia

Griner’s legal team presented a medical marijuana prescription from Arizona, where cannabis is legal for medical use. She uses it to manage chronic pain from years of elite athletic performance.

But in Russia, even trace amounts of THC are illegal. Her defense argued that she did not intend to break the law, but the court focused on the “objective presence” of the substance — and not her intent.

Global Reactions: Athletes, Fans, and Activists Rally

The reaction to Griner’s sentence has been swift and global:

LeBron James: “How can she be out there this long? Bring her home. Now.”

Billie Jean King: “This is not justice. We stand with Brittney.”

Breanna Stewart: “169 days. Still no answers. Still no freedom.”

Sue Bird: “We are not okay.”

The hashtag #WeAreBG has once again trended worldwide.

The Power of Celebrity Pressure

Justin Bieber’s involvement is more than symbolic — it represents the power of mainstream celebrity attention in shifting public awareness and applying pressure on policymakers.

“When someone with Justin Bieber’s reach speaks up, it becomes impossible to ignore,” said one WNBA executive. “It forces people outside the sports world to pay attention — and that matters.”

What Comes Next: Hope for a Prisoner Swap

There have been ongoing reports that the U.S. is pursuing a prisoner exchange, potentially involving Griner and Whelan in return for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is currently imprisoned in the U.S.

Though controversial, many now see the trade as the only realistic path forward to bring Griner home.

Final Thoughts: “This Shouldn’t Be Happening”

In a year marked by war, political division, and growing global instability, Brittney Griner’s situation has become a powerful symbol of how politics and power can turn a personal mistake into an international standoff.

She is not simply a detained athlete. She is:

A woman

A Black woman

A queer woman

An American

And now, a political prisoner

And now, with voices like Justin Bieber’s joining the call, the demand is becoming impossible to ignore:

“Bring Brittney Griner home. Now.”