In case you’re not acquainted, the video for the 2004 hit sees Usher and Alicia as love pursuits getting cozy in the midst of Occasions Sq..
And for his or her halftime efficiency 20 years later, the enduring duo channeled the identical loved-up vibe, with Usher hugging Alicia from behind as they sang the romantic hit in the midst of the stage.
The passionate efficiency actually received the web speaking, and being that Alicia has been married since 2010, the intimate show additionally prompted a variety of questions on how her husband, Swizz Beatz, could be feeling about all of it.
Notably, Swizz was fast to handle the backlash and make it clear that he wasn’t in any respect fazed by the PDA, suggesting that involved followers had been worrying concerning the “unsuitable rattling factor.”
“Y’all don’t see that tremendous costume masking the complete stadium ⚡️🚨😂😂😮💨😮💨😮💨😮💨 Tonight’s efficiency was nothing however superb with 2 superb Giants!” he wrote as he congratulated the duo on Instagram. “We don’t do adverse vibes on this aspect we make historical past ✌🏽.”
And now, Usher is right here to set the report straight too, doubling down on the truth that Swizz was glad for him and Alicia to lean into the romantic vibe of the track.
Talking on the Breakfast Membership radio present on Monday, Usher mentioned the duet was “actually about having enjoyable due to a track me and Alicia made a few years in the past and we have fun it due to the legacy of it.”
He mentioned there was “no disrespect” supposed in the direction of anyone, including that he, Swizz, and Alicia had enjoyable dismissing the backlash.
“We laughed about it,” the R&B legend shared. “It’s loopy how individuals assume. It’s all about the way you current issues, man, it’s all about love.”
In the identical interview, Usher additionally addressed one of many different main speaking factors of the halftime present — Justin Bieber.
For context, there was a variety of anticipation within the lead as much as the Tremendous Bowl efficiency that Usher could be joined by his former protégé for a shock rendition of one in every of their iconic collabs.
Nonetheless, it quickly turned clear that followers must wait a little bit longer for an Usher and JB reunion when the singer was seen watching the Tremendous Bowl from a collection beside his spouse, Hailey.
And amid latest studies that the 29-year-old turned down a duet just because he “simply wasn’t feeling it,” Usher emphasised that he totally supported Justin’s resolution to observe from the sidelines.
“I believe that it would’ve been the truth that he’s simply wanting to inform a unique story proper now. And I perceive that,” he mentioned, confirming that they “did have a quick dialog” about the opportunity of a Tremendous Bowl collab.
“Justin wasn’t the one individual that I truly spoke to about doing the Tremendous Bowl, however the second was possibly for later,” Usher revealed, including that he’d like to see Justin play the halftime present himself at some point.
“He has a profession that deserves it. It simply didn’t occur, however that doesn’t imply it’s not going to,” he mentioned. “We’re gonna do one thing else sooner or later. No love misplaced or something like that. I believe that it’s a variety of strain for the Tremendous Bowl, clearly.”
