Usher Talks Love, His UR Tour and Justin Bieber with ‘Billboard’
Usher has kept silent about his love life since the end of his tumultuous relationship with Tameka Raymond in 2009. After denying his relationship with girlfriend Grace Miguel for years, the singer is finally open up about his love and how she changed him as a man in an exclusive interview with Billboard.
“I have an incredible partner and manager. She has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and my career,” he told the magazine.
“She’s someone who has been able to support and understand all of who I am. Not just as a dancer or as a performer or as a singer, but as a humanitarian and a businessman and as a person,” he gushed about his new love. “One thing that has come from having a great partner like Grace is being able to cherish the places that I’ve gone. We see the monumental sites, go to the museums, eat in the best restaurants. I’m that guy now! In the past I’d do what I have to do and get on the bus to the next city. Life has become a vacation.”
Love and great music seem to go hand and hand as an artist, so Usher also opened up about the status of his upcoming album.
“I just ain’t ready. Meaning I have more that I want to say and more that I want to do,” he explained. ” My process is pretty different. L.A. Reid will tell you, it takes two albums to make one with Usher.”
Outside of his music, the singer is also a father and a mentor to Justin Bieber, who has had a string of legal incidents lately.
“Our relationship is more man-to-man now,” he says. “He’s making his own decisions and it’s important to show support. I can say I’m not happy with all the choices my friend has made, but I’m supportive of him. I try my hardest to give as much positive reinforcement as I can. I’ll punch him in the f—ing chest when I need to, and give him a hug and kiss when I need to. It’s more than just mentoring. I love the kid.”
Up next, Usher will be on the road for his UR tour. The tour will kick off November 1st in Montreal.
Read the full interview here.
(Photo Credit: Billboard)
