Bieber poses as James Dean

Justin Bieber poses as James Dean. Picture: Justin Bieber/ Instagram

Pop star Justin Bieber has embraced his troubled reputation by posing as James Dean's character in Rebel Without A Cause in a new photo.

The Baby hitmaker has emulated bad boy Jim Stark, played by Dean, in the 1955 movie in an image posted on Instagram.

In the black-and-white photo, Bieber sports Dean-style hair and has a cigarette hanging from his mouth.

The singer explained the picture to fans, insisting he doesn't really smoke, but just wanted to recreate the look of Dean, who died in a car crash in 1955.

He writes: "This is James Dean inspired. Don't ask me if I smoke ciggys (cigarettes) cuz (because) I don't."

Bieber then posted an image from the movie of Dean in the pose he had attempted to recreate.