Inside Justin Bieber and Usher’s Rocky History Amid Rumored Confrontation

Long-simmering tension between Usher and his former protégé Justin Bieber boiled over when Usher confronted the pop superstar over being cast aside as the younger performer’s fame soared, reports say. But those close to Justin, 32, confide he has good reason to distance himself from the 47-year-old R&B artist — with one source saying to Daily Mail, “He just didn’t protect him.”

Sources claim the clashing stars got into a “heated exchange” at Jay-Z and Beyoncé‘s Academy Awards after-party at Chateau Marmont in L.A.

Usher later denied the aging teen idols came to blows.

An insider told the outlet, “Usher feels Justin’s behavior of late and in particular on [that] night has been out of line.”

Sources claim when Usher encountered Justin, he felt “brushed off the same way he has for a while now.”

Another insider said, “From his perspective, there’s a level of loyalty and gratitude that hasn’t been reciprocated, and the distance between them has come off as dismissive and disrespectful.”

Yet, a confidant asserts Justin was not uncivil and was simply having a “great time” at the bash with friends and his wife, Hailey.

A source told Daily Mail, “What [Usher’s] taking as disrespect may actually be him feeling guilty or ashamed.”

Those close to Justin allege Usher approached his ex-protégé with “energy and anger” — but the dispute never escalated or turned physical out of respect for the party’s hosts.

Appearing on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show a week later, Da Brat said she spoke to Usher, who told her that reports of a dust-up were exaggerated and taken “out of context.” Usher has “been nothing but supportive of plenty of issues that Justin Bieber has had throughout the years” and “wishes him nothing but the best,” the “Honey” rapper clarified, noting, “Everything is okay between them.”

When Justin was a tween YouTube standout, he was discovered by music mogul Scooter Braun and signed to Raymond Braun Media Group (RBMG), a joint venture between his now ex-manager and Usher.

Usher also reportedly shepherded Justin’s career by greasing the wheels for a meeting between him and record executive L.A. Reid to sign a larger distribution deal with powerhouse label Island Def Jam.

But Usher also introduced Justin to Sean “Diddy” Combs, who in October was sentenced to 50 months behind bars on prostitution-related charges.

Combs also has several civil sexual assault lawsuits pending against him, but has denied any wrongdoing.

Through a rep, Justin, who’s been open about his mental health and substance abuse issues, insists he’s “not among Sean Combs’ victims.”