Usher Reveals How He Maintained His Music Legacy And Looks

At 45, Usher continues to uphold his reputation as an R&B icon who is known for his soulful voice, intricate dance moves, and undeniable charisma. As he embarks on his “Usher: Past, Present, Future” tour, he remains committed to celebrating and expanding his legacy.

“I’m promoting a legacy: Past, present, and future,” Usher shared in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY. “I’ve been in this industry long enough to honor the legacy of my music from the start of my career to this incredible moment I’m experiencing now, with my work in Las Vegas, the Super Bowl, and other live performances.”

What Physical Fitness Means To Usher

For Usher, physical fitness is not just about maintaining his appearance but also about sustaining his ability to perform at his best. “I follow a workout routine before hitting the stage, which includes band work, using medicine balls, and light weights. Balance is crucial, especially since I skate on stage, so I do exercises that focus on core stability and involve closing my eyes to enhance balance,” he explains.

This regimen ensures that his body is always ready for the demands of performing. Given the intense choreography of his concerts, Usher humorously notes, “That’s enough of a workout. You sweat for two hours straight.”

During the interview, Usher enjoyed a fancy chicken soup with rice, cilantro, onions, and more, alongside an apple. His dressing room was stocked with plenty of fruit as well. When discussing his tour diet, he inquired, “On a good day or a bad day?”

“On a good day, I’m not supposed to be eating carbs. On a bad day, I eat carbs,” he says.

Ushers Reveals Following A Tradition Started By His Grandmother

Usher also revealed that he fasts on Wednesdays, a practice rooted in a tradition started by his grandmother, which he intends to continue throughout his 58-show tour.

“Yeah, I’ve made it a thing. I’ve been doing it for some time now,” he notes. “It started with my grandmother. She had a prayer group, and they would fast on Wednesdays as a form of focus. We all participated.”

This practice, Usher says, is about health, personal reflection, and honoring his grandmother. While he admits to occasionally feeling light-headed, he clarifies,

“Once the sun is down, I eat. So, typically, that means for the first half of the day, I’m really focused. I can still have liquids and take my vitamins,” he said.

Usher’s Growing Interest in Technology

The tour itself is a testament to Usher’s dedication and the countless hours of rehearsal required. With its high-energy choreography and innovative use of AI visuals, the show is a technical marvel, even for a performer of Usher’s caliber, who has been touring since he was 16.

“From the technical side, I feel like that is the future part of it. The fact that I’m using technology to assist me in ways that are reaching past the boundaries that are set for live performance,” he explains. “If I can find new ways to introduce people to a live experience, where I can take them back in history if I can play with imagery and things like that.”

Usher hopes fans will be captivated by how he has chosen to integrate technology into his performances.

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Inspiration From A K-Pop Group

“I was inspired by some of the artists that are touring right now. It gave me some new ideas. Made me feel really good about investing in my show, and the type of technology that I see people using,” he says. “It just made me think outside the box to see how artists that come from the K-pop world choose to do things. It has definitely been an inspiration.”

Reflecting on his influence, Usher adds, “Oddly enough, I feel like we fueled that inspiration because if you go back to like the ’90s, or better yet the late ’80s, shows felt like that. They didn’t have the technology, but they were dynamic in terms of their performance, and there was something really choreographic and very much so immersive in that way that made you kind of feel like you were in the moment with them.”

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Usher right now. Come back here often for all Usher spoilers, news, and updates.

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