Usher has spoken up about the controversy that has engulfed Justin Bieber, saying that his mentee was simply experiencing growing pains in the public eye.

The Voice coach appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show Tuesday and was asked about Bieber. The 19-year-old has found himself creating headlines for his relationship with Selena Gomez and allegedly terrorizing his neighbors by driving his Ferrari at breakneck speeds in his gated California neighborhood. Bieber is also under police investigation over accusations that he threatened and spit at a neighbor who asked him to stop speeding.

DeGeneres broached the subject with the R&B superstar who discovered Bieber on Youtube at the age of 12. He helped mold his protégé into one of the biggest pop phenonemom in recent years.

Usher emphasized that Bieber was still very much a young superstar.

"And I think all of us in some way have humble beginnings that pan out to be incredible and we hope that in his transition - as friends and family who has helped him be who he is - that he'll continue to just mature," he said.

The Confessions singer, who began his career at the age of 13, cited social media as one of the reasons why Bieber has received backlash to the point where he was booed at the Billboard Music Awards on May 19. Usher said it was hard for young stars to mature when their actions were being heavily criticized. He said there was no privacy at all and that Bieber was a teenager who was living his life in front of cameras.

"It's been done in many, many other celebrities. They are product of it and some come out bad and some come out good," he said.

The 34-year-old R&B icon said he was hoping for the best. He also vowed to keep a closer eye on Beiber even though the two have hectic schedules.

"Obviously when I can be of help I do so. Reach out and stay connected," Usher said.

Watch the clip of Usher on Ellen below.

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Usher, Justin Bieber