Up-and-coming performer Austin Mahone has faced comparisons to Justin Bieber for pretty much the entirety of his career, but this week he made a move that was decidedly un-Bieberish: He handled what might have been a subliminal diss with grace.

On Monday morning — when most celebs were offering their opinions on Miley Cyrus' tongue-laden twerkathon — Harry Styles opined that the MTV Video Music Award for "Artist to Watch" had gone to the wrong person.

"IGGYAZALEA should've won last night.." Styles tweeted.

By Wednesday, word had gotten back to Austin about what Styles had said. He handled it pretty well (brilliantly, really, when you consider he's only 17).

Wow just found out what @Harry_Styles said!! ???? #imstilladirectioner

— Austin Mahone (@AustinMahone) August 28, 2013

Austin, who hails from San Antonio, Texas, opened for select dates of Taylor Swift's Red Tour earlier this year.