Justin Bieber on Split from Selena Gomez: "I'm Not in the Happiest Place"

Justin Bieber is opening up about his recent breakup from Selena Gomez in a new interview with Billboard.

When asked if he was "heartbroken," Bieber admitted he's going through a rough patch. "I'm not in the happiest place that I've ever been. I'm trying to get through what I'm going through. Like I said, I have my really close friends to cheer me up and keep me going," the 18-year-old said. "They keep me occupied and keep my mind off negative things."

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The pop singer also confirmed his new song, "Nothing Like Us," is about his split from the ex-Disney Channel actress. Bieber noted the importance of going through such heartache as part of growing up.

"It's funny when people are like 'You're 18. What have you really gone through?' I'm thinking, 'What do you mean? When you were 18, you don't think you went through that stuff?' When you are 18, you're going through that transition. You have a high school girlfriend, you might not. Going to college. Figuring yourself out, leaving home."

Bieber and Gomez, 20, started dating in 2010. They reportedly split up for the first time in November, before reconciling and then splitting again sho