Will.i.am believes Justin Bieber's recent problems will be smoothed out by his mother.

The singer has endured a tough 2013 so far, with a string of negative headlines sourced from a recent trip to the UK exacerbating the Canadian's reputation.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Will.i.am - who has teamed up with Bieber for his forthcoming new album '#willpower' - said that the 'Boyfriend' star should be fine because he has a strong mother in Pattie Mallette. He said:

"Justin's going to be OK. It's dangerous to be a child star, but it's dangerous to be a child in the ghetto, or to be a child at school being bullied."

The Voice UK coach continued: "If you have good parents, you'll be all right. Justin's mom is great."

Mallette meanwhile recently admitted that she needs to let go of her son a little because he's not her "baby" anymore.