Reborn to Rewrite the Spotlight

Chapter 16: Charting His Own Path

January 2005 – Los Angeles, California

Age: 10 years, 10 months

The whirlwind of this life had picked up its pace again, and it seemed like I couldn't escape the expectations that everyone had for me. People saw me as a star, but I knew what it truly meant to live in the public eye. I knew the dark sides of fame—the exploitation, the rumors, the people who took advantage of young talent. I had seen it all, even before the world got a glimpse of who I truly was.

But the moment I was truly confronted with the decision about where my future would go was when Usher came into the picture.

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It all started when my mother, Pattie Mallette, received the call. Usher, one of the biggest names in the music industry, had heard about my potential and was offering to mentor me. On the surface, it sounded like a dream come true. Usher had helped many stars rise to the top, and I could already hear his songs playing everywhere.

But there was something about him that didn't sit right with me. He wasn't the problem—it was the rumors surrounding the way he worked with young artists, how he was rumored to be a part of the system that allowed people like P. Diddy to take advantage of their position in the industry. I had heard the stories, not just from my original timeline but from whispers in this new world as well. I wasn't blind to what was happening behind closed doors. Usher was a part of that world, and I wasn't about to step into it without understanding the full scope of what was at stake.

I sat in my room, staring out of the window, thinking about it. It seemed like the perfect opportunity—working with one of the best in the industry. But my instincts told me to stay away. The music industry wasn't just about talent; it was about who you knew, who you trusted, and the kind of deals you were willing to sign. I had seen too much to be naive about it all.

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I found my mother in the kitchen, humming a song quietly as she prepared dinner. She turned when I entered, and I could see the concern in her eyes. She knew what I was thinking.

"Justin, Usher called again," she said, her voice hopeful. "He's still interested in working with you. He believes in your talent, and he wants to help you get to the next level."

I nodded, not really listening to her words. I'd heard it all before. I was used to being told how great my potential was. It was the pressure that came with it that I wasn't prepared for. But Usher, like many others before him, was an industry insider. And I wasn't willing to let my career be shaped by people like P. Diddy again.

"I don't want to go with Usher, Mom," I said firmly, walking up to her. "I've heard too much about what happens to people when they get involved with that crowd. I don't want any part of it. I want to do it my way."

Pattie's eyes softened, and she placed a hand on my shoulder. She could see the resolve in me, and I think, in that moment, she understood. She'd always supported me, but this decision felt different. It wasn't just about following the typical path of a child star. It was about something more—protecting my autonomy, my agency, and my future.

"You've got your heart set on something, don't you?" she asked quietly.

I nodded. "I want to create my own music, Mom. I want to be in charge of my own career. I don't need a mentor. I just need someone who can help me get my music out there—someone who believes in me."

It wasn't an easy decision for her. She knew how big an opportunity Usher could have been for me, but she also knew the risks. There was no denying that working with someone like him could have propelled me to stardom faster. But she also knew that my instincts were sharp, and I wasn't just a normal kid—I had lived a life before this one. I had seen the consequences of trusting the wrong people.

Pattie sighed, but there was a warmth in her voice when she spoke next. "I get it, Justin. You've always been your own person. If that's what you want, we'll find another way. We'll find a promoter, someone who's in it for the music, not the industry drama."

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The next few weeks were a whirlwind of meetings and calls as we searched for the right person to help me. My mother, ever supportive and protective, worked tirelessly to find someone who would support my vision. It wasn't easy, but eventually, we connected with a small, independent promoter who believed in my talent without trying to mold me into a product.

I may have been young, but I was already starting to understand that fame wasn't the end goal. Making music that resonated with people—that's what I truly wanted.

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January 2005 – Evening

The moment I made the call to Usher, it felt like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. I wasn't following the traditional route, but I knew it was the right one for me. I dialed his number, holding my breath as it rang. When he answered, his voice was warm, yet there was an underlying tension.

"Justin, I'm glad you called," Usher said, sounding like he was trying to hide his disappointment. "I was hoping you'd change your mind."

"I'm not going to, Usher," I replied, my voice steady. "I appreciate everything, but I need to do this on my own. I've made my decision."

There was a pause, and I could almost hear him processing my words. "I understand. Just know that the door is always open for you, Justin. Good luck with everything."

The conversation ended, and I didn't feel a sense of relief or regret. I felt like I was taking control of my life, and for once, that was enough.

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That night, I lay in bed, thinking about the road ahead. It wouldn't be easy. I would have to work twice as hard to make a name for myself in the industry. But I had my mom's support, a new team behind me, and a vision for the kind of music I wanted to create.

I wasn't going to let the industry control me. I would write my own story.