“I saw so much in the music industry at a young age that took away the happiness of being a boy. I found myself in rooms with people three times older than me, saying things that really changed me. At some point, all I needed was to be free to be myself again.” — Justin Bieber reveals If you’ve watched clips of what Justin went through at just 16, you’d understand why he had to grow up so fast.

During the same chat, the Baby star was in tears talking about his experiences as a 15-year-old pop star, saying he wanted to protect Billie as she started out on her journey. With his head bowed and his voice breaking, he said: “It was hard for me being the music industry and being that young and not knowing where to turn and everyone, you know, telling me they loved me, and, you know, just turn your back on you in a second.”

He continued: “If she [Billie] ever needs me I’m going to be here for her… but, yeah, just protecting those moments because people take for granted… encounters…and…I just want to protect her. I don’t want her to go through anything I went through. I don’t wish that upon anybody.”

The interview is a difficult watch, with seasoned interviewer, Zane, looking visibly upset as he listens to Justin’s recollection of troubling events. A source close to the singer, who recently welcomed son Jack Blues into the world with his wife Hailey, told People the new dad has been “in a happy bubble” since Jack was born and “just wants to focus on being a great dad and husband.”

Justin and Hailey are parents to son Jack Blues Bieber, with the singer announcing his birth in June. Insiders claimed that he was over the moon about becoming a dad and that he and his model wife were “overjoyed” with the arrival. A source told People: “They’re doing well. They’re both overjoyed. The baby is such a miracle. He’s adorable and doing well! Hailey’s doing well, too. The pregnancy was something that they very much wished and prayed for.”