Although Justin Bieber was in attendance for Super Bowl LVIII, Usher reveals why the Baby hitmaker didn’t make an appearance on the halftime show stage.
During an interview on The Breakfast Club, Usher stated that things just didn’t work with Bieber in regard to the performance.
“I honor and recognize that my brother,” Usher said about Justin Bieber. “I think that it might’ve been the fact that he is just wanting to tell a different story right now and I understand that.”
Usher, who mentored Bieber as a teen starting out in the music industry, confirmed that he had a brief conversation with the Beauty and the Beat singer. They are planning to collaborate in the future.
“No love lost or anything like that,” Usher reassured about his relationship with Bieber.
While things didn’t work out with Bieber, Usher was able to put together an amazing halftime show. Among the guest performers were Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, Will.i.am., and Ludacris.
Forbes reported that the show was broadcast to 30.1 million households. The Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show notably drew in approximately 5% more households than last year’s show, which featured Rihanna. With the exception of her baby bump, Rihanna performed with any guests.
Usher Talks About Winning a ‘Bidding War’ Against Justin Timberlake to Sign Justin Bieber
While everyone knows that Usher was a mentor to Justin Bieber, the R&B star recently recalled having a bidding war against Justin Timberlake over who could sign the younger Justin.
Usher told PEOPLE he made sure to introduce Bieber to Scooter Braun, the other half of the Raymond Braun Media Group, in 2008. “When you are at the top of your game, some of the greatest things will be presented to you,” Usher explained. “And it was, I think, right after [my album] Confessions that I was introduced to Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun.”
Also speaking about his friendship with Braun, Usher said, “We built a friendship, but this would obviously create a partnership that would span us forever, and it was a bit of a bidding war between me and Justin Timberlake.”
Usher then admitted he didn’t necessarily know how to approach Bieber with signing to his group. “I was like, I’m not certain that I could understand each and every producer that this artist could benefit from,” he said. “But what I can tell you is I’m going to give you my passion, and I’m going to give you every bit of what I have to offer.”
Usher Reassured Scooter Brauns That He Could Manager Bieber
Usher explained that he was so ready to sign Bieber with Braun because there could only be “one Justin.”
“So if you want to go with Justin, that’s Justin and Justin. Me, it’s only one Justin,” he continued. “So that obviously created a relationship and [there was] that support of him as an entrepreneur, because I think that he was trying to find himself as well.”
In regards to reassuring Braun about the deal, Usher said he believed in the producer. “I’ll give you every bit of wisdom that I have and grow you,” he remembered telling Braun. “And support you in whatever you’re trying to accomplish as a businessman.”
Usher then added what else he told Braun. “You’re not just a guy who can discover artists. You are someone who just needs someone to believe in, and I believe in, and I’ll support you.”