Usher, the R’n’B legend who is set to rock the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show this Sunday, has opened up about his career struggles and how he almost gave up on music to pursue acting. The 45-year-old singer, who has sold over 80 million records worldwide and won eight Grammys, told The Hollywood Reporter that he felt discouraged after failing to match the success of his 2004 album Confessions, which is one of the best-selling albums of all time.
How Usher Found His Groove Again in Las Vegas
Usher said that he was unsure if he should continue making music or switch to acting, which he had done in some films and TV shows. He said: “I hadn’t had a successful record as successful as [2004’s] Confessions, and there was this analysing [thought], like, ‘Man, should I continue to do this, or should I pivot and become an actor?’”
However, he decided to stick to what he “really” loves and took a gamble on launching a Las Vegas residency at the Colosseum at Caesars’ Palace in 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The gamble paid off, as Usher’s show became a huge hit and earned him the title of the “new King of Vegas”. He said: “I went to Las Vegas with no promise in a time when the world was not going anywhere because we were in a pandemic, and [I] had the hope that I could arouse people enough to come to Las Vegas and celebrate with me. And it turned into, not only the most successful moments of Las Vegas history, but one of the most successful moments in my life.”
How Usher Landed the Super Bowl Halftime Show Gig
Usher’s comeback did not stop there, as he was chosen to headline the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, following in the footsteps of icons like Michael Jackson, Madonna, Beyoncé, and Prince. Usher said that he was honored and excited to perform at the biggest stage in the world, and credited his self-belief for making it happen. He said: “And then to play the Super Bowl, that right there is a virtuous story of belief in self, man. I’m a 45-year-old artist who has found my way into an incredible moment as a result of belief in myself and the fact that I didn’t let anything deter it, no matter what it looked like, no matter what the comparison to previous albums were. I didn’t care about none of that. I was like, ‘I believe in making quality and quality performance matters. I want to go to Las Vegas where I can spread my wings and be creative and do things the way I want to do them; not just wait for a successful album in hopes that I’m going to be able to put together a tour and travel the world. The crescendo of that is the Super Bowl. Man, I’m so happy and blessed.’”
Usher is expected to deliver a spectacular show that will showcase his hits, his dance moves, and his charisma. He might also have some surprise guests, as he hinted that he would love to have Taylor Swift join him, especially since her boyfriend Travis Kelce is playing for the Kansas City Chiefs. Usher and Swift have a history of performing together, as they sang Usher’s “Yeah!” at Swift’s concert in Atlanta in 2011.
Usher is also releasing his new album Coming Home on Friday, which features collaborations with Drake, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and more. The album is a mix of Usher’s classic R’n’B sound and his newer pop influences. Usher said that he wanted to make an album that reflects his journey and his growth as an artist and a person.
After the Super Bowl, Usher will resume his Las Vegas residency and embark on the Past Present Future Tour in North America this August. He has also expressed interest in bringing his show to the UK and other countries, as he posted a GIF of a young boy raising his eyebrows when asked about a London date on Twitter. Usher’s fans can get their tickets for his tour via LiveNation.com, starting from Monday, February 12 at 10am local time.
