Russell Simmons believes Amanda Bynes has 'better days ahead'

While most are gawking at the trainwreck that is former child actress Amanda Bynes, Russell Simmons – a man with some experience in watching stars rise and fall – holds out hope for her future.

As the co-founder of Def Jam – one of the biggest hip hop record labels in the business – Simmons knows how to handle promising talents who are rough around the edges.

Yesterday, Simmons took to his blog on Global Grind to impart his wisdom on the sad state that Bynes is currently in.

He wrote “In the case of Amanda Bynes, it is sad for me to watch the struggles of this very talented young actress. I have seen this story play out so many times throughout my career. I can understand why some might enjoy watching her growing pains, as it is easier in life to judge someone rather than deal with your own issues.”

Simmons continued, “I have grown to learn that you’ll actually evolve faster when you look to uplift, rather than judge those who seem to be struggling in life. I am a firm believer that there are better days ahead for Amanda.”

Simmons is not the only celebrity with personal experience who has sounded off on the struggles of young actors.

Recently, Mara Wilson – who starred in the beloved movies Mrs. Doubtfire at age 6 and Matilda at age 9 – wrote an article for Cracked.com titled “7 Reasons Child Stars Go Crazy.”

The now 25-year-old actress wrote that she had a “generally good experience” as a child actor because she didn’t reach an “Olsen twins” level of fame.

But the reasons why most young stars eventually burn out ranges from lack of parental guidance to sexual abuse to the loss of the public’s affection and praise.

Right now, Bynes certainly seems to think that it’s her vs. the world – after all, she’s threatened to sue about half a dozen people in the last two months alone.

However, there is at least one man on her side.

Simmons finished his blog by writing, “Although I have never met her, I know that she has great gifts to offer this world, as she has shown in the past, and I know that no matter what we've done or where we've been, every single one of us can change.”