Justin Bieber unveiled a behind-the-scenes look at the making of his “Holy” music video on Tuesday (Sept. 22).
Throughout the clip, the superstar sits down to explain the purpose behind the ambitious and cinematic visual directed by Colin Tilley.
“Colin and I, both of our hearts behind wanting to make this video, both from the fact that we know that there’s a lot going on in the world right now. A lot of pain, a lot of heartache, a lot of frustration, a lot of people losing jobs,” he explains while prepping for his role as a down-on-his-luck oil worker.
Later, Bieber also dishes on recruiting Chance the Rapper for the inspirational guest feature on the song’s bridge. “Chance is one of my good friends, I consider him a brother,” the singer says. “I asked him if there was anything on his heart that he wanted to share on this record, and he was like, ‘Yeah, I would love to.’
Also starring Ryan Destiny and Wilmer Valderrama, the video ends with the latter extending a helping hand to Bieber and his onscreen love in their time of need, a theme Biebs and his team really wanted to hammer home as the video’s overarching message.
“It basically shows how an act of compassion can really change the trajectory of someone’s life or day. And just having empathy for people, ” he says. “That’s our goal with this project, is just to inspire, to bring hope in this kind of uncertain, fragile time.”
Bieber has even more reason to celebrate as of late. The same day the behind-the-scenes video dropped, the pop star was nominated for four Billboard Music Awards including best R&B album (for 2020’s Changes), top country song (for Dan + Shay collab “10,000 Hours) and both top radio song and top collaboration (for “I Don’t Care” with Ed Sheeran).
Check out all the behind-the-scenes action of making “Holy” in the video below.