R&B sensation Usher has opened up about his protégé Justin Bieber and the negative press he's been surrounded by recently.

During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the 'Burn' superstar explained that Bieber is a teenage boy and he's just trying to enjoy his experience in the spotlight the best he can without rebelling against the lack of privacy:

"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 have helped him be who he is, that he'll continue to just mature."

"I am hoping for the best. I don't look at as a negative though, I look at it as a teenager - he's a teenager having to live his life in front of a camera. Imagine if you had to do that as a teenager."

Although Usher doesn't think a lot of the 'Boyfriend' heartthrob's recent behaviour, such as scrapping with paparazzi and keeping fans waiting for hours at a concert, he added that in this age of social media everything is shown to the public so reputations are easily changed:

"In this [day and] age of social media, there is no privacy and that kind of trial and elimination period is kind of done in front of a camera. Many other celebrities are product of it and some come out bad and some come out good."

Watch Bieber's latest music video for '#thatPOWER' below: