Wednesday, Justin Bieber's mother, Pattie Mallette, sat down with Kathie Lee and Hoda to talk about life before Justin and her new book, "Nowhere But Up." It's the story of their family's transition from single-parent household to international superstardom, and deals candidly with Pattie's struggles before Justin hit it big — a childhood of abuse, a suicide attempt, and finally, single parenthood.
Kathie Lee and Hoda played a clip of Justin singing to Pattie, and everybody teared up ("I have an amazing son," she smiled). Pattie said she wants to tell other single mothers and women who have had abusive childhoods that things can get better. Of course, Hoda and KLG teared up too.
"I'm excited to hear some reactions," Pattie said of the book, saying she hopes that it helps other women in similar circumstances. "You don't have to stay stuck in your pain. I know other people's stories helped me."
KLG noted that a portion of the profits from the book's sale would go to benefit women's charities, and then asked Pattie to "give our love to the Justin Biebster."
Julieanne Smolinski is a TODAY.com contributor who maybe sometimes dresses like Selena Gomez, just in case.
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