Usher and Justin Timberlake went to war over who would sign Justin Bieber.
The rapper, who is riding high after his Super Bowl halftime performance, says he and Timberlake both wanted to do a deal with internet viral sensation singer Bieber in the early 2000s.
“When you are at the top of your game, some of the greatest things will be presented to you. It was, I think, right after [my album] Confessions that I was introduced to Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun [who became Justin’s manager],” Usher told People.
“I presented Scooter an offer that I felt like he couldn’t resist,” the “Yeah” hitmaker 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 went on to sign Bieber to his and Braun’s record label Raymond Braun Media Group in 2008.
“I was like, ‘I’m not certain that I could understand each and every producer that this artist could benefit from, 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’,” he added.
Usher also implied there is no bitterness between him and the “Senorita” singer, saying he has “always wanted to do a record” with the former *NSYNC singer.
“I have reached out many times, but we’ve never managed to make it happen. I am motivated by people like Justin. I think that he is an amazing performer, and I think that he has a legacy that should be respected and not compared to anybody else,” he added.
Many fans were left disappointed Justin Bieber did not join Usher for his Super Bowl 2024 halftime show last weekend, which saw the R&B phenomenon perform inside the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with guests including Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, Ludacris and will.i.am.
Usher — who married Jennifer Goicoechea in Las Vegas following his big moment at the Super Bowl — has said it “didn’t work out with Justin.” Usher admitted they had “a brief conversation” but ultimately decided to collaborate “in the future” instead of at the big game.
“No love lost or anything like that,” he added.
Bieber and his wife Hailey instead watched Usher’s performance in Fanatics co-owner Michael Rubin’s $2.5 million suite in Las Vegas, where they were seen nodding along to the performance.
Bieber has kept a relatively low profile since he canceled the remaining dates of his “Justice” tour in 2022 in the wake of his being diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which left part of his face temporarily paralyzed.
