Usher Speaks Out on Justin Bieber Not Joining Super Bowl Halftime Show
“I think that it might’ve been the fact that he’s just wanting to tell a different story right now. And I understand that,” Usher said.
BY LEXY PEREZ, FEBRUARY 16, 2024
Usher is addressing the speculation that he asked Justin Bieber to join him during the Super Bowl halftime show.
During an interview with The Breakfast Club on Friday, the singer confirmed that he did reach out to Bieber about an appearance but said that the two weren’t able to join forces onstage.
“It didn’t work out with Justin. I honor and recognize that, my brother. I think that it might’ve been the fact that he’s just wanting to tell a different story right now. And I understand that,” he explained.
He went on to share that the two did “have a brief conversation” and even though the stars didn’t align for a halftime show collaboration, “We’re gonna do something else in the future. No love lost or anything like that. It’s a lot of pressure for the Super Bowl, obviously,” Usher added.
He also predicted that Bieber will headline the halftime show eventually. “I profess that over his life. He has a career that deserves it. It didn’t happen, but that doesn’t mean it’s not going to,” Usher said.
While planning for his performance, Usher revealed that Bieber wasn’t the only artist he reached out to. “I reached out to some hitters,” the singer teased, though he remained coy on who he contacted. “I was curating what would be one of the greatest Super Bowls of all time.” He did, however, confirm that he did not reach out to Chris Brown about joining him onstage.
During the halftime show, Usher performed a medley of his greatest hits with special guests including Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., Lil Jon, Ludacris and will.i.am.
Though Bieber did not join Usher, he praised the artist on social media following his performance writing, “LOVE YOU MY BROTHER,” he wrote. “NOONE CAN SING AND DANCE THE WAY YOU DO. LOVE YOU FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART. BROUGHT THE ‘A’ TO THE WORLD, ONLY YOU BABYYYYYY.”
