In February Payton had sent Bieber a message, either on Facebook or via Twiiter, it's not clear which. The girl, from New Jersey, had seen his 3D biopic, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never and found the film inspiring. Her message to Bieber read: "Hey! I have an awful life story and without your music I don't know if I could have survived. Do you think I could send you a letter?"
With the thousands of attempts to contact and meet with him it's likely this message was not even read by Bieber himself. In any case, Payton Wall did not get a response. Undeterred she then set about writing a letter, reportedly some 1500 words, to Obama to tell him about her life, her father's death, viewing the movie, what his music means to her and her desire to meet him.
Barack Obama Invites Family to Ground Zero
Somehow the letter got through to the President and Obama responded by inviting Payton and her family to join him and others at a ceremony at Ground Zero on May 5 to honor her Dad, Glen and all who died there on 9/11. At the ceremony he told Payton he would arrange a meeting with his friend, Bieber.
He wasn't idly boasting when he said Bieber was a friend as Bieber met the President, the First Lady and their daughters Sasha and Malia, on at least two occasions: with Usher and other musicians when they played the 'Christmas in Washington' special in Dec. of 2009 and Bieber was invited to visit the White House in April of 2010.
Bieber Tweets President will "Keep Promise"
Perhaps unaware Bieber had met the President, New York Magazine wrote a story suggesting Obama's promise to Payton Wall would likely be a promise he would unable to keep. But here's a tweet from Bieber from the 12th:
"I think you're wrong, he wrote. "pretty sure President will keep this promise. - " The link Bieber included at the end? It's a link to that New York Mag story which suggested Obama would not be able to contact Bieber.
Bieber has been touring overseas since March and has been to England, other European nations, Israel and Australia. He is now finishing up in Asia.