Live performance has always been my thing. Itโs my purpose to master and capture the moment every time I have you connected.
UsherI'm a sponge, the more I absorb, the more I am able to articulate my vision, as artists do, like Picasso. I'm an artist in that light. I went from being an artist to an artiste.
UsherIf [after one role] you believe that you've mastered acting and you don't have to study the craft or get a deeper perspective, then you're not going to succeed.
UsherThe first time I got a chance to meet Michael was onstage at Madison Square Garden. There were tons of people on the stage, and I just remember losing my mind. Like, Oh my God, that's Michael Jackson right there. I was just over his right shoulder. And then when I finally got a chance to get on the stage with him, I was just shut down. He had the type of magic that you just bowed to. I just said, "I love you, and I know you've heard it a million and one times from fans all over the world, but you've meant so much to me as an entertainer, and I love you, and I've admired you all these years.
UsherNormally you don't have the benefit of preparing someone to pay homage to you and what you've done in your life. Usually, you pass away and someone does a tribute to your character and who you were during a specific period of your life.
UsherI learned how music works dealing with Jermaine Dupri, and I learned how image works dealing with Puff Daddy.
UsherIt can never be bad to have a foundation as a man - a black man - in a time when women are dying for men. Women have started to become lovers of each other as a result of not having enough men.
UsherYou are my superstar. I'm your number one fan, give me your autograph, sign it right here on my heart. Girl, I'll be your groupie, baby.
UsherI met BSB at a benefit gig we were both doing, and they are really humble, nice guys - and very hard working
UsherI think it's important for us to believe in one another's capabilities. If I didn't have someone to believe in me, I wouldn't be the individual I am today. Neither would I strive for new territory or new direction or to believe in myself.
UsherI'd like to do something with Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr., Tim McGraw, Justin Timberlake, and Gwen Stefani.
UsherArtists who are relevant today won't be tomorrow unless someone does the right thing by their character and preserves it in the dialogue of a movie.
UsherSomebody has to look out for and protect our kids, and I feel blessed to be a blessing to someone else.
UsherI tried football and got my ass beat. I tried baseball, and the ball knocked out one of my teeth.
UsherI have this bodyguard so if I get tired of signing Autographs I ask him to step in. It's hard because people get angry at you, but I've got a life to live too.
UsherAs you go down the rabbit hole of reading into our history, you realize that there are so many things that history books didn't teach us about ourselves.
UsherI never hated my father. I would have named my child Usher regardless. I never hated myself because I carried his name, because I made it mean what I wanted it to mean.
UsherI think anybody, not just children, is a product of a great environment. If you put them in a better environment from a sad situation, nine times out of 10, they'll go in the right direction.
UsherBreaking up is a natural evolution when you try to figure out what you want in life. If you're with an individual who isn't moving in the same direction and at the same rate that you are, it ain't going to work.
UsherThere's always that one person, That will always have your heart. That one person for me is you.
UsherIn time we grow older, we grow wiser, we grow smarter, and we're better. And I feel like I'm becoming more seasoned, although I don't have my salt-and-pepper hair.
UsherWhen I reflect on the issues that black Hollywood has had with the lack of representation at the Oscars, I realized that we have a responsibility to tell stories that are meaningful for our history.
UsherSuccess is about dedication. You may not be where you want to be or do what you want to do when you're on the journey. But you've got to be willing to have vision and foresight that leads you to an incredible end.
UsherIt's a mission for me to make sure that philanthropy doesn't feel like a vintage hand-me-down from mom or dad. I want people to feel compelled to do something positive because they just love it, they're excited about it, and it's cool.
UsherIt isn't hard to be in a relationship because I've always loved to be in a relationship, and I love to be in love.
UsherI'm so sad to hear the horrible news of Amy Winehouse's death. I'm so happy I knew you Amy...Rest Well. Gone Too Soon...we'll miss you!!
UsherI guess I had it made. My mother gave me advice - she taught me that women like to be looked in the eye - and my grandmother gave me condoms.
UsherThe hardest thing I think I've ever had to do to tell you, the woman I love, that I'm having a baby by a woman that I barely know.
Usher