Justin Bieber's spiritual rebirth took place in sportsman's bathtub

Justin Bieber was baptized in a bathtub at basketball star Tyson Chandler's New York City home, according to a new report.

The Boyfriend singer turned to celebrity pastor Carl Lentz in early 2014 to help him turn his life around after hitting headlines for his bad behavior and legal troubles in late 2012 and 2013.

Sources tell GQ magazine Justin asked to be baptized to kickstart his "reformation" after feeling "ravaged by feelings of loss", but after struggling to find a paparazzi-free location in New York City, Carl turned to his pal, then-New York Knicks center Tyson, for a little venue advice.

According to insiders, Tyson answered the call at 2am on a cold January morning and offered up his own Manhattan home for the religious ceremony - but as the building's pool was already closed for the night, they decided to stage the baptism in the sportsman's bathtub.

Despite Justin's spiritual rebirth, he was busted for driving under the influence in Miami, Florida weeks later that January (14) - during the same month he was accused of vandalizing his former neighbor's Calabasas, California home by pelting a wall with eggs.

The now-21 year old has been working hard to restore his reputation and rebuild his career in recent months, and in November (15), he opened up about how his troubles had caused him to become estranged from his mother, Pattie Mallette.

"I was distant because I was ashamed," he admitted to Billboard magazine. "I never wanted my mom to be disappointed in me and I knew she was. We spent some time not talking, so it takes time to rebuild that trust."

"She's living in Hawaii now, so it's hard, but getting better," he added. "She's an amazing woman and I love her."