L.A. Reid

After an audition with Usher, Bieber signs a recording contract with Island/Def Jam Records chairman L.A. Reid.

Usher called and said I have something really special for you. I have a gift for you. He brought Justin in. Justin had a guitar, he payed piano, he sang for me. I thought he was amazing. It was a no-brainer.

Reid later says that if he had known that Bieber had been rejected by other record companies first, he wouldn’t have signed him.