Ariana Grande: 'Justin Bieber needs help, not punishment'

Justin Bieber's former tour mate Ariana Grande has urged the troubled singer to seek help in the aftermath of his headline-grabbing arrest last week (ends26Jan14).

The Baby hitmaker was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida on Thursday (23Jan14) on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI), resisting arrest without violence, and driving without a valid licence after police officers allegedly spotted him drag racing in a luxury sports car.

Grande, who toured with Bieber last year (13) and shares his manager, Scooter Braun, has now issued a public plea to the singer's friends and family, urging them to get the pop star the help he needs.

Speaking on the Grammy Awards red carpet, Grande tells Access Hollywood, "He's very isolated... I don't think anybody understands. I don't think anybody could ever understand. I certainly don't, but I just think that people could be a little more sensitive to him... he does need help, but I don't think he needs punishment... There's a difference between helping somebody and punishing them.

"It gets to a point where all you need is a good talk with your family. I think he's in good hands and I don't think he's putting anything at jeopardy other than his health... I just know that a lot of people are rooting for him to be healthy and that's like the most important thing."

Grande goes on to insist Bieber's manager, Braun, will know exactly how to handle the situation, adding, "He's in really good hands. And yeah, so he'll be fine."