After placing second in a local talent competition with his performance of Ne-Yo’s “So Sick,” Justin Bieber’s career took off. The performance received a lot of attention after his mother, Pattie Mallette, posted it to YouTube. She kept posting videos of Justin online, which eventually helped him become famous. Pattie’s autobiography, Nowhere But Up, was published by Christian publishing house Revell in 2012. Her challenging childhood—which included abuse, addiction, and being a single mother—is described in the book, along with how her faith gave her hope and enabled her to become a loving parent to Justin.

Their close relationship changed as Justin got older. When Justin turned 19, Pattie told People, “When your kids hit a certain age, your parenting style changes… it is hard letting go.” She considered the pride and emotional difficulties that came with his independence.