Hollywood’s a tough place to hit it big, so it never hurts to have someone with more experience by your side who’s willing to lend a helping hand and guide you on your path to fame. Such is the case with many of our favorite celebs in the entertainment biz, including the unlikely pairing of Usher and Justin Bieber, who both recently graced the cover of Billboard Magazine and took the stage at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards. It seems like beside every great star is an exceptional protégé, who’s being shaped to become the next big thing. Usher and Biebs inspired us to compile a list of our other favorite students and the mentors who showed them the ropes. Check them out!

Usher and Justin Bieber

 

Photo: Getty Images

Biebs has Usher to thank for putting him on the map. After a chance meeting with the R&B singer, Bieber was signed to Raymond Braun Media Group (Rbmg), a record label created by Bieber’s manager, Scooter Braun, and Usher. Ever since, Usher has taken the teen singer under his wing, coaching him, performing with him, and even starring in his movie.

Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jepsen



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Bieber took his own turn at mentoring with former Canadian Idol contestant Carly Rae Jepsen. Although Carly is eight years his senior, Bieber helped catapult her to fame by creating a now infamous homemade music video for her infectious pop single “Call Me Maybe” with Selena Gomez, Ashley Tisdale, and others.

Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj



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The Trinidadian rapper got her big break after Lil Wayne discovered her on the DVD series The Come Up. After signing to Weezy’s label, Young Money Entertainment, Minaj released two studio albums, collaborated with artists like Kanye West, Drake, and will.i.am, and performed at the Super Bowl alongside Madonna and M.I.A.

Drake and The Weeknd

 

Photo: Courtesy of HowFlyHipHop

Although The Weeknd’s talent speaks for itself, Drake helped generate buzz for the singer after talking up The Weeknd on his Twitter. The two artists have since collaborated on a series of songs, including the hit “Crew Love” off of Drake’s 2011 album Take Care. Drake and The Weeknd even gave their duo a name: OVOXO (OVO stands for October’s Very Own—Drake was born on October 24—and XO stands for kiss and hug).

Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian



Photo: Getty Images The Hilton Hotel heiress grew up with Kardashian in L.A. and took her to her first Hollywood parties. After being introduced to the socialite scene, Kardashian took a cue from Hilton and starred on a reality TV series, Keeping Up with the Kardashians. After Kardashian became an It Girl in her own right, the two socialites were seldom seen together, causing rumors that they were feuding. But after running into each other last year at a Grammys afterparty in L.A., the two starlets seemed to have buried the hatchet. That’s hot!

Madonna and Britney Spears



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Britney is pretty much the Madonna of her generation. Her debut album …Baby One More Time solidified her spot as America’s pop princess, and the singer has since expanded her brand to movies, fashion, and beauty products. Ever since Brit and Madge performed together (and shared a kiss) at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards, Britney became the iconic singer’s unofficial protégé. The two reunited just two months after the awards for the single “Me Against the Music” and Spears even briefly become a follower of Kabbalah, Madonna’s trendy religion.