SUPER BOWL LVIII
Justin Bieber arrives in Las Vegas but no performance with Usher in the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Usher was a fundamental part of Bieber becoming a big star, and rumors were that they could be reunited at the biggest sporting show in town.
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Usher played a crucial role in turning Justin Bieber into a global star by mentoring him alongside manager Scooter Braun, who discovered the Canadian singer on YouTube. In 2016, during an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Usher recounted how he first met Bieber when the Canadian asked if he could sing for him in a parking lot outside producer Jermaine Dupri’s studio.
“I had heard about Justin through rumours because people were talking about him, and I said, ‘Why don’t you set up a meeting between your manager and me? I’d love to meet you in a formal setting and do something. I’m running late to a meeting with Jermaine Dupri, and I don’t want to keep him waiting, so let’s do this properly,’” Usher explained.
Inside the studio, Usher watched one of Bieber’s videos with a group that included music executive L.A. Reid’s wife, Perri “Pebbles” Reid, who instantly saw star potential. “Perri says, ‘Are you crazy? You better come down right now and meet this kid. He’s amazing,’” Usher told Stern.
Bieber “like a son” to Usher
Regarding Bieber’s much-reported misbehaviour, Usher also mentioned at that time that he used to counsel him.
“As a mentor, he took my opinion, I can give him my perspective,” Usher explained. “He’s like a son to me, so I don’t necessarily feel like it’s a business, you know what I’m saying? I feel like I’m talking to someone who’s had some struggles.”
Alongside guidance from Bieber’s manager, Braun, Usher is said to have acted as a mentor to Justin after the Canadian signed his record deal. That deal apparently came about with the help of the R&B singer, who was already a close friend of Island Records director L.A. Reid.
What’s Justin Bieber’s Halftime Show history?
Usher and Bieber’s current relationship
In 2010, Justin and Usher achieved massive success when they collaborated on the song ‘Somebody To Love’. They also performed together at the Grammys in 2011. Producers allowed Justin to perform a medley of his hits, with special appearances by Jaden Smith and Usher. In 2013, Usher also showed his support at the premiere of ‘Justin Bieber’s Believe’, but what is their current relationship?
In 2014, they began to drift apart somewhat after Bieber’s arrest and reports of drugs found at his Los Angeles property. “Our relationship now is more man to man,” Usher admitted in an interview with Billboard at the time. “He’s making his own decisions, and it’s important to show him support,” he added.
Nevertheless, Usher continued to be an important part of Bieber’s life. The Canadian invited the R&B artist to his wedding in 2019. Additionally, Usher congratulated him in 2020 on his album Changes. In July 2022, after Bieber revealed his diagnosis with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, Usher said in an interview with Extra that he had spent vacation time with the Bieber family and that the singer seemed to be doing well.
Justin Bieber rumors about performance at Super Bowl 2024
With Bieber in Las Vegas ahead of the 58th Super Bowl - he was spotted with some of the Kardashian-Jenner family, rumors abounded that he might be a special guest at Usher’s Halftime Show, having played a concert at the start of this month after nearly a year out. But in the end it was Alicia Keys who was the star special guest, while Justin was in the stadium, but up in a box, alongside wife Hailey.