Grandparents say Justin Bieber just a normal 19-year-old

OTTAWA, July 25 (UPI) -- Justin Bieber's grandparents, in an interview on Canadian television, defend the singer as a normal 19-year-old.

Diane and Bruce Dale accompanied Bieber's mother to a book signing Tuesday in Ottawa, CTV reported. Pattie Mallette was there to promote "Nowhere But Up," her book on her life as a single mother and her struggles with sexual abuse, depression and addiction.

The Chapters store was mobbed by teenage girls. Bieber was in town for a concert Tuesday night at the Canadian Tire Centre but was not at the store with his family.

"It's totally crazy," Diane Dale told CTV. "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."

Bruce Dale said his grandson is "just a 19-year-old boy."

Bieber was discovered in 2008 after videos were posted on YouTube and quickly became a major star. But he has received a burst of bad publicity recently.

Mallette said she believes her book has done some good.

"These girls are coming up to me and showing me their scars and saying, I stopped cutting because of you, and girls who are crying and saying you saved my life I was suicidal and I'm not anymore you gave me so much hope," she said.