Justin Bieber might be taking his lumps from plenty of other people, but he does have one powerful ally in his corner.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The pop star Bieber has been in the news the past couple days for a video that reveals a 15-year-old Biebs casually making racist jokes backstage at a promotional event.
Bieber has apologized profusely for the slurs, releasing the following statement (per TMZ):
"I'm very sorry. I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable mistake. I was a kid then and I am a man now who knows my responsibility to the world and to not make that mistake again.
"Ignorance has no place in our society and I hope the sharing of my faults can prevent others from making the same mistake in the future. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to say, but telling the truth is always what's right.
"Five years ago I made a reckless and immature mistake, and I'm grateful to those close to me who helped me learn those lessons as a young man. Once again....I'm sorry."
Which brings us back to Mayweather, the undefeated, multi-division boxing champ who has taken to having Bieber walk out to the ring with him for his bouts (and having him attend his daughter's 13th birthday party).
Well, Mayweather says he's got his young buddy's back, posting an image on Instagram to explain why.
The caption reads: "Justin has been nothing but kind to me, my daughters and sons over the years. We all make mistakes when we are young, it's part of growing up. I am proud of what he's doing as a 20 year old musician and business man. #TMT"
