Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesJustin Bieber's longtime friend and mentor Usher is speaking out about the young star in an interview that arrives in the wake of the latest video showing the young singer making racist remarks.
The R&B singer covers the latest issue of Nylon Guys and opens up about watching the Biebs grow into the pop star he is today (though it's unclear whether Usher made these comments before or after the recent video uproar).
"I gave every bit of advice and always told him it was up to him if he really wanted this. Now that he has it, as an adult, it's his to manage. Do I turn my head in shame based off of what I see, what I know? Nah, I don't because it's all part of life's process," he explained.
"Am I in it with him? Yeah. It's unfortunate. I hate some of the things I hear. Is it all true? I don't know."
The former Voice coach defended the 20-year-old Canadian singer further by adding, "I will tell you this: Success comes with a price. Every person that has grown up, grows through something. It ain't just perfect from the beginning."
Sage words of wisdom from Usher considering that he got his start in the music business at just 11 years old.
His comments come just days after two videos from years ago were released showing the "Confident" crooner making racist remarks.
Since the footage has surfaced, Biebs has apologized for his actions, saying, "As a kid, I didn't understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt."
He added, "I thought it was ok to repeat hurtful words and jokes, but didn't realize at the time that it wasn't funny and that in fact my actions were continuing the ignorance…I need to apologize again to all those I have offended. I'm very sorry."