Pattie Mallette

Early childhood

Pattie Mallette was born on April 2, 1976, in Stratford, Ontario, of French Canadian, English, Swiss-French and Scottish descent. She is the daughter of Diane M. (Henry) and Michael Mallette. Her older sister was killed at age 5, when she was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. She also has an older brother named Chris.

Mallette has said her childhood was dominated by sexual abuse and violence and that she was first molested around age 3. Her offenders include a male babysitter, the grandfather of one of her friends, and neighborhood children reportedly mature beyond their years. Her book describes sexual abuse continuing until the age of 14, followed by an incident of date rape at age 15. She says of the sexual abuse and violence, "I was sexually violated so many times that as the years went by it began to feel normal. It's a strange marriage – knowing something is wrong yet at the same time finding it familiar and commonplace."

Teen years

As a child, Mallette showed an interest in acting and singing. When she was 9 years old, she began appearing on local television programs, including Romper Room and Big Top Talent, a locally televised children's eating contest. When she was 10 years old, she was cast in two theatrical productions in the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, which brings over half a million tourists to the town every year. Throughout middle school and high school, she took every drama and choir class available, along with seven years of dancing. After earning numerous trophies and awards for her singing and acting, she was signed to a Toronto-based talent agent. When auditions required her to travel one-and-a-half hours to Toronto every weekend, her parents were unable to make the commitment, which left Mallette devastated.

When she was 14 years old, she began using drugs, including alcohol, marijuana and LSD. She also started shoplifting. When she vandalized school property by starting a fire in a bathroom, she was suspended from school. When she was 15 years old, she began a relationship with Jeremy Bieber, which lasted for four years. She left home when she was 16, supporting herself through petty theft and drug dealing. During this time, she experienced loneliness, depression, and suicidal ideation. When she was 17 years old, she attempted suicide by throwing herself in front of a truck, which led to a stint in a mental ward. While there, she became a Christian.

Following her release from the hospital, Mallette rekindled friendships that failed to support her new-found faith. She also reconnected with Jeremy Bieber. Six months later, she became pregnant. Mallette gave birth to her son, Justin, on March 1, 1994, in London, Ontario at the age of 17. While Mallette and Jeremy Bieber initially maintained a relationship after the birth of their son, they split up. Mallette remained a mother figure to Justin, and his best friends Chaz Sommers and Ryan Butler. Mallette raised Justin with the help of her parents.

Music

Mallette encouraged her son's talents after he began showing an interest in music at the age of 2. In 2007, she entered Justin in the local "Stratford Star" talent show where he sang Ne-Yo's song, "So Sick", finishing second in the competition. Mallette posted a video of the performance on YouTube for their family and friends to view, and continued to upload videos of subsequent performances as her son's online popularity grew.

Writing

In September 2012, her autobiography, Nowhere but Up was published by Christian book publisher Revell. The book is about the troubled upbringing of Mallette, and the personal transformation of turning abandonment and single parenthood into strong faith and a life filled with grace and hope.

During the first week of release, it was listed at No. 17 on the New York Times Best Seller list. The book has received international press and has been reviewed by media outlets around the world.

Filmography

Published works