USHER - USHER: 'DON'T JUDGE JACKSON

R+B hunk USHER has begged people not to prematurely judge MICHAEL JACKSON, who is standing trial accused of child molestation.

The YEAH! singer found fame when he was just 13, after winning a STAR SEARCH audition, and he's well aware of the pressures faced by child stars - so he refuses to make presumptions about the THRILLER singer.

The 26-year-old says, "Don't judge. It's not for us to judge. That's the problem with media nowadays. Why is it that every time you turn on the television, it's only negative press? Is it that there's only negative there, or is it that's all they want you to see?

"It's much more entertaining, but as people teach each other to learn from our mistakes and move forward, maybe it'll make for a better world."