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Bieber Protest Was A Hoax By A Radio Morning Show

That Bieber Protest Was A Hoax, You Guys

So that protest against Justin Bieber possibly relocating to Atlanta has turned out to be a hoax perpetrated by a local radio station.

According to Variety, Atlanta Rock radio station 100.5 and its morning show "The Regular Guys" created the entire protest under the name the "Buckhead Neighborhood Coalition" with radio show personality Tim Andrews from the morning show pretending to be Harold White, a spokesman for the group.

Several news outlets including CNN as well as the BBC interviewed the spokesperson believing it to be a credible story.

"We're concerned he'll bring the wrong type of element into a quiet, residential area," White-slash-Andrews) told CNN. "It is our position that a person with his means could certainly find a neighborhood more suited to his eclectic lifestyle."

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"Bieber Protest Revealed As TRG Hoax," the radio station's website said yesterday with the following statement: "Justin Bieber's relocation to an Atlanta suburb was only a rumor at the time, but his "potential neighbors" preempted the move with a planned protest. National news and entertainment outlets -- CNN, TMZ, Perez Hilton and more -- picked up the story and ran with it!"

The Regular Guys' host Larry Wachs revealed it was a hoax on Monday, describing it as a "big win."

In an interview with E Online, host Steve Rickman said the "protesters" were just six interns at the radio show, some of whom were dressed "more like bad attorneys."

"We just sent tweets out, and that's it -- just social media," Rickman told the publication. "We did not send press releases or anything like that to our local affiliates. We're really not trying to, you know, burn everybody -- we're just doing something fun. We're blown away. It's a home run when you're a morning radio show."

By the way, turns out that the Buckhead neighbourhood would be just fine with Bieber moving in.

MTV interviewed Tom Tidwell, chairman of the Buckhead Council of Neighborhoods, who said "Buckhead takes pride in being home to many celebrities such as Sir Elton John, Usher and Shaquille O'Neal to name just a few. Justin Bieber, like many celebrities, can live almost anywhere he wants, and Atlantans should be proud that he is considering making Buckhead his home."

Perhaps considering Bieber's recent driving-related charges, Tidwell added, "Buckhead has some of the best restaurants in the country, all just a short cab ride from his new home. And in a couple of years, when he turns 21, Bieber will be able to enjoy the nightclub scene as well."

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