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title: That Viral Photo Was Not Justin Bieber Eating a Burrito
description: A viral photo that is most definitely not Justin Bieber eating a burrito sideways has sparked an internet debate about the correct approach.
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og:title: Great News, Internet. It Looks Like Justin Bieber Knows How to Eat a Burrito After All
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# Great News, Internet. It Looks Like Justin Bieber Knows How to Eat a Burrito After All

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by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Oct 29, 2018 5:10 PM UTC

by 

[Ashley Hoffman](https://time.com/author/ashley-hoffman/)


## Ashley Hoffman


Oct 29, 2018 5:10 PM UTC

The truth behind the photo of a guy on a bench eating a burrito sideways that the internet guessed was [Justin Bieber](http://time.com/4816510/justin-bieber-water-bottle-despacito/) has been revealed — and it’s good news for Beliebers.

It’s definitely not him.

In fact, a company called Yes Theory took credit for hiring a man who identifies himself as Brad Sousa, a [Justin Bieber](http://time.com/4885448/justin-bieber-purpose-tour-canceled/) [doppelgänger,](http://time.com/4845673/ryan-gosling-doppelganger/) and staging various engineered-to-go-viral scenarios after flying him out to L.A.

And while everyone was not convinced by the stunt….

> [](https://twitter.com/freidafeminist1/status/1055646057575649280)

> [](https://twitter.com/dirtyblxnde/status/1055822800068468736)

> [](https://twitter.com/GomezJames/status/1055822228175110145)


It still worked, as headlines about the man’s alternative approach to the rice-stuffed staple arrived and enemy lines were drawn.

The lookalike’s face was somewhat obscured by the real matter at hand: the food item, and how it was handled.

So after surfacing on Reddit, the photo of the “imposter” in a beanie digging into some kind of wrap turned the internet into a house divided over the right way to eat a burrito.

The internet and the media alike had a message to deliver to an innocent guy on a bench enjoying some food: [you’re doing it wrong](http://time.com/5326439/twitter-pbj-debate/).

Because the subject of the photo deigned to take a healthy bite from the middle section of the delicacy that may or may not be a burrito, the backlash was swift.


People felt extremely strongly that [this guy](http://time.com/collection-post/4566823/top-10-things-the-internet-couldnt-stop-talking-about/) has it all wrong when it comes to enjoying whatever it was that he was eating.

One Twitter user wrote, “Justin Bieber thinks burritos are harmonicas.”

> [](https://twitter.com/broazay/status/1055489655267868679)

> [](https://twitter.com/JackF0rr3st/status/1055820641444786181)

A few defenders did stand up for occasions when things fall apart, and you need to get a little animalistic with it.


> [](https://twitter.com/KaleighRogers/status/1055514671825018882)

But people really just wanted to be outraged at the move.

> [](https://twitter.com/Jonathan%5FSmth/status/1055564370598682626)

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