Usher On Bieber: 'I'm Hoping For the Best'

Usher comes to the defense of his protege Justin Bieber, telling Ellen DeGeneres on her Wednesday show that he blames social media and the media itself for the 19-year-old's recent bad press and in some circles, bad reputation.

The 34-year-old R&B singer tells the daytime talk show host that it's too soon to tell how long Bieber's career will last, but he's optimistic. "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 but you know in this days age of social media. There is no privacy and that kind of trail and elimination period is kind of done in front of a camera," Usher says of Bieber.

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"It's been done in many, many other celebrities are product of it and some come out bad and some come out good. I am hoping for the best. I don't look at as a negative though. I look at it as a teenager. A teenager having to live his life in front of a camera. Imagine if you had to do that as a teenager."

As for his communication with the teen heartthrob, he admits, "We talk as much as possible. I mean, me a Scooter we stay in contact. Obviously when I can be of help I do so. Reach out and stay connected."

Meanwhile, Usher has his own career to worry about. When asked by Ellen if he'll be returning to The Voice next season, the Yeah Yeah Yeah singer confirms, "I plan on coming back."

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Ellen's audience then erupts into applause, of which Usher reacts, "Happy to know you guys are excited about me coming back. I love that. I do plan on coming back but I'm going to go away for a minute and I'm actually playing in a film called Hands of Stone. I'm playing Sugar Ray Leonard."

What do you think of Usher's remarks about Bieber? Does the Baby singer have staying power?