Rita Ora feels for Justin Bieber over fan punch

Singer Rita Ora empathises with Justin Bieber after he punched a fan who grabbed at him through a car window in Spain.

The Baby hitmaker was startled on Tuesday (22Nov16), when 18-year-old Kevin Ramirez invaded his personal space as the pop superstar's car arrived in Barcelona for a concert.

Bieber reacted quickly and punched the man, leaving him with a bloody lip.

Baywatch star David Hasselhoff was among the first to jump to the 22-year-old's defense during a U.K. TV chat on Wednesday (23Nov16), and now Rita has sided with her fellow musician after weighing in on the incident.

"I'm not speaking for anybody, but knowing him and his incredible background, I know how it feels to be uncomfortable and scared," Rita told London's Metro paper.

Suggesting Justin acted in self-defense, she continued, "I feel like anyone who had a hand in their face is going to protect themselves."

The Black Widow singer admits she has also had some terrifying run-ins with overzealous devotees.

"There are definitely moments where they cross over the boundary of it becoming almost scary," she said, although she did not go into detail about her own worrying incidents.

Instead, Rita went on to applaud young stars like Zayn Malik and Bieber's ex Selena Gomez, who have been more candid in recent months about their mental troubles, including severe anxiety and depression - something the 25-year-old Brit claims she has also struggled with.

"Artists are finally speaking about it, thank God, because I go through it," she explained. "It's not something to be afraid or ashamed of. It happens to the best of us, especially when you've got a lot on your plate."

Rita's comments emerge a day after Selena returned to Instagram to thank fans for their support following her latest reported stint in rehab to deal with her ongoing battle with lupus.

"I have a lot to be thankful for this year..." Selena wrote in a moving post on Thursday (24Nov16) to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. "My year has been the hardest yet most rewarding one yet. I've finally fought the fight of not 'being enough'.

"I have only wanted to reflect the love you guys have given me for years and show how important it is to take care of YOU. By grace through faith. Kindness always wins. I love you guys. God bless."