USHER - USHER: 'DON'T CRITICISE ME'

R+B star USHER has slammed people who criticise him - claiming they don't realise he "lives in a box".

The 26-year-old heart-throb - who picked up the Best Song gong for YEAH! at last Sunday's (13FEB05) GRAMMY AWARDS - insists people are ignorant of his celebrity pressures.

He says, "It's easy for people who don't know me to criticise me, but there's more to my life than people will ever know.

"If people think my life is totally amazing and perfect, they should take a good look.

"I sort of live in a glass box. Everything happens in front of other people. When I break up with my girlfriend, everybody has to know about it.

"I try to stay positive, but sometimes I've got to smile when I don't feel like smiling.

"I've got a lot going on right now, but I know it's all going to turn out ok. It usually does."