R&B star Usher, who is credited with discovering pop star Justin Bieber, has recently spoken out about how Bieber should be allowed to manage his own life because he is an adult now, according to the Deccan Chronicle.
The 35-year-old singer, who has been mentoring Bieber since Scooter Braun discovered him at the age of 13, has tried not to interfere too much in the recent drama of Bieber’s life because he insists that Justin needs to learn from his own mistakes.
“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 on 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!” said Usher.
This is a turn in attitude, considering Usher’s statement after Justin Bieber’s Miama disposition back in March 2014 showed the 20-year-old singer being rude and disrespectful towards his mentor and claiming that Usher did not contribute to his success. “Usher feels that the person Justin has become is a complete embarrassment. (He) is certainly a mentor to Justin, but he feels that Justin has gone off the rails,” said a source, reported Hollywoodlife.com.
Usher, who himself was taken under the wings of rapper and record producer Puff Diddy since he was 15, says that he is aware of the importance associated with mentoring a young artiste in the music industry.
“Artistic development made me who I am. 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,” he commented. “It’s unfortunate. I hate some of the things I hear. Is it all true? I don’t know. But I will tell you this: Success comes with a price. Every person that has grown up, grows up with something. It ain’t just perfect from the beginning.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2014.
Like Life & Style on Facebook, follow @ETLifeandStyle on Twitter for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.