IT has been an emotional and often difficult journey for Madison Beer in the run-up to her debut album’s release.

She was discovered at the age of 12 by Justin Bieber after uploading a cover of Etta James’s song At Last to YouTube.

But the New York-born singer thought her dreams had ended when she parted company a few years later from Scooter Braun, the former manager of Taylor Swift, and was dropped by her record company.

But today, at 21, she says the experience made her stronger and helped her grow into the artist she has become.

“I look back and it was so difficult for me to even wrap my head around it, as it hurt so much,” says Madison on a call from her home in Los Angeles.

“Then, I was 16 and I thought my world had been ripped out from under me.

“It was terrible. But I look at it now and it was a blessing in disguise.

“I am who I want to be and I have my artistry, so I’m grateful that it happened. And in Life Support, I’ve made the album I wanted to make.”

‘I HAD SOME CLARITY OVER WHO I AM’
It has not been easy for the singer, who has struggled with mental-health problems and been the target of hateful abuse through social media — including comments about her looks and career that left her plagued with self-doubt.