Usher Opens Up About Protege Justin Bieber's Troubles

"I hate some of the things I hear. Is it all true? I don't know," he said.

ByABC News
June 5, 2014, 3:22 PM
Singers Justin Bieber and Usher attend the 2012 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in this May 20, 2012, file photo in Las Vegas.
Singers Justin Bieber and Usher attend the 2012 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in this May 20, 2012, file photo in Las Vegas.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

June 5, 2014 — -- A lot has been said about Justin Bieber in the past few years.

Some if it isn't so easy for the singer's mentor, Usher, to hear.

"I gave every bit of advice and always told him it was up to him if her really wanted this. Now that he has it, as an adult, it's his to manage," he told Nylon magazine. "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. Am I in it with him? Yeah."

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Bieber, 20, has had several run-ins with the law in the past few months. Most recently, he found himself in the news when a 5-year-old video resurfaced and showed him telling a racist joke. (He has since apologized for that.)

"It's unfortunate. I hate some of the things I hear. Is it all true? I don't know," Usher said. "But 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."

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The "Voice" coach has been on the other side of the mentor/protege relationship, too. Now 35, Usher credits Diddy for looking out for him when he was an up-and-coming entertainer and now he wants to give back.

"Artist development made me who I am," he said. "Somebody took the time to help me find what it is that works for me as an entertainer and who I am as a music maker."