Two videos Justin Bieber reportedly using racist slurs and telling racist jokes recently surfaced.
The "Baby" singer has since apologized for his words. Both Usher and 50 cent have spoken out on the racist slurs and jokes that were made as well.
Usher, who is Bieber's mentor, stated that his mentee is "unequivocally not a racist," according to MTV.com.
"At my core, I am a person that supports growth and understands without judgment, that growth often comes as a result of pain and continuous effort. As I have watched Justin Bieber navigate difficult waters as a young man, I can tell you that he hasn't always chosen the path of his greatest potential, but he is unequivocally not a racist," stated Usher.
The singer added that five years ago (Bieber was 14 at the time the video was shot), Bieber was a "naïve child" who didn't understand "the negative power and degradation that comes from playing with racial slurs."
Now that he is older, Usher believes that Bieber "has the opportunity to become his best self, an example to the millions of kids that follow him to not make the same mistakes."
50 cent also came to the defense of the troubled 20-year-old, according to the publication Times of India.
"I don't think he's racist. I don't think even he knows who he is at this point - he's so young," stated the rapper.
50 added, "When you see people become huge stars real early, it's tough for them. You have to grow up with all these expectations. I think Justin's still a baby and he's lost."
Ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez has surprisingly shown her support after the release of the videos as well.
"Selena doesn't think Justin is a racist, she just thinks he was acting stupid and immature. As far as him changing she does hope that he'll grow up, she still sees the good in him and his potential," a source told HollywoodLife.com.
The insider added, "But, she's also extremely angry at him for the way he treated her."