Teen idol Justin Bieber was photographed smoking what appears to be a marijuana blunt inside a Newport Beach hotel on January 2nd, just one day after a photog was killed chasing his Ferrari. Bieber didn't seem too downcast judging by the photos, which show the 18-year-old toking it up and laughing with his buddies.

TMZ exclusively obtained photos from inside the hotel, along with a firsthand account of what went down inside the room. According to the website, Bieber and good friend Lil Twist were hanging out with a group of friends, as "Twist and his brother were rolling all the blunts and smoking everyone up."

Sources close to Bieber were insistent that the slain photog was lying when he said Justin was smoking pot before the New Year's Day incident. Bieber's security was also reportedly present in the room on Janurary 2nd, but didn't seem to mind that people were snapping photos of him smoking.

After the photos surfaced online his fans let him know that they were disappointed in him, and he posted a cryptic message on Twitter.

"Everyday growing and learning. trying to be better. u get knocked down, u get up... i see all of u. i hear all of u. i never want to let any of you down. i love u. and... thank u... like i said... 2013... new challenges. new doubters... Im ready. We are ready. see u all tomorrow and everyday after that."

Check out the photos in the above slide:

Source: TMZ