Malcolm-Jamal Warner on Bill Cosby: 'It's Painful to Watch My Mentor Go Through This'

"He's one of my mentors, and he's been very influential and played a big role in my life as a friend and mentor," Warner tells Billboard. "Just as it's painful to hear any woman talk about sexual assault, whether true or not, it's just as painful to watch my friend and mentor go through this.

Jill Scott Tweets Support for Bill Cosby

"I can't really speak on any of the allegations because obviously, I was not there. The Bill Cosby I know has been great to me and great for a lot of people. What he's done for comedy and television has been legendary and history-making. What he's done for the black community and education has been invaluable. That's the Bill Cosby I know. I can't speak on the other stuff."

Billboard's full interview with Malcolm-Jamal Warner -- where he talks about his Grammy nom, his upcoming album and his "love-hate relationship with hip-hop" -- is right here.