Justin Bieber's appearance in a US court, in which he apparently couldn't remember whether he had been in Australia, has a struck a chord with Aussies on social media.
The hashtag #JustinAUSTRALIAlovesyou is now one of the top trends in Australia on Twitter, with both fans and critics using the tag to either show their support for or lambast the singer.
"Please help us trend #JustinAUSTRALIAlovesyou to prove the australian media wrong," one fan wrote.
Another supporter tweeted: "Australian media are taking him too seriously and he needs to know we're always gunna be there to support him. #JustinAUSTRALIALovesYou."
The tweets come days after video footage was released of the pop singer's court appearance in the US over separate claims that he instructed his bodyguards to assault photographer Jeffrey Binion.
In the video, Bieber was asked by the photographer's lawyer Mark DiCowden whether or not he remembered being in Australia.
The 20-year-old replied: "I don't know if I've been to Australia."
Some annoyed Twitter users contributed to the #JustinAUSTRALIAlovesyou hashtag by using it to criticise the star.
One critic wrote: "#JustinAUSTRALIAlovesyou I don't understand how australia loves Justin Bieber when he doesn't even remember that he has been to Australia."
Another critic described the tag as "the worst trend I've ever seen".
"He didn't even remember coming here," the user wrote. "Move on."
Bieber was in Australia in late 2013 for his Believe tour. He caused havoc during the visit with a graffiti spree on the Gold Coast, allegations of heavy-handed behaviour by his bodyguards and visits to strip clubs.
