Justin Bieber gets a hug from his grandmother after she defends him in new interview

His often controversial behaviour frequently courts controversy.
But one person sticking by Justin Bieber's side through thick and thin is his grandmother Diane Dale.
The popstar's relative was seen greeting him with a huge hug as he prepared to once again perform to thousands of fans at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Biggest fan: Justin Bieber's grandmother Diane Dale was seen with him at his concert on Wednesday, after defending him in a new interview

Bieber's embrace with his grandma came after she staunchly defended him in a new interview with CTV Ottowa.

Speaking about the attention Bieber's actions attract, Diane said: 'It's totally crazy. I feel sorry for Justin all the time because paparazzi pick on him all the time.

'Anybody else's kids have done the same thing but nobody says anything.'

'He's just a 19-year-old boy': Diane pulled her grandson in for a hug ahead of his performance

She added: 'He's just a 19 year old boy. And before you criticise him, say, what is my 19-year-old boy doing?'

As Diane waited to catch a glimpse of her grandson ahead of his concert, she was pictured wearing a name tag which bore the title 'Grandma' - in case any member of Bieber's team was unsure as to her identity.

But while Diane was more than happy to talk about Bieber in the interview, one person not so happy to talk about the popstar in interviews is his mother, Pattie Mallette.

Ban: Bieber's mother Pattie Mallette is said to have banned journalists from asking about her son's more controversial antics during Canadian signings for her new book

Sharing her story: Justin and his mother are very close

According to RadarOnline.com, Pattie asked waiting journalists in Canada, where she has been promoting her new book, not to ask about Bieber's recent more controversial escapades.

Ottawa Citizen reporter Elizabeth Payne wrote in her publication: 'Although Mallette’s handlers warn interviewers to focus on her book and not her son’s recent headlines, her book tour for Nowhere But Up: The Story of Justin Bieber's Mom unabashedly rides on her pop star son’s massive popularity.'

And referring to her son's hectic lifestyle in a roundabout way at one of the Canadian signings, Pattie said of his antics: 'The way I look at it is regardless of whatever is in the headlines, there are always people who need that hope and inspiration.

'Regardless of what my son is up to today or tomorrow, it doesn’t change the face that I am out here to share my story with other people because my story is what is going to give them hope.'