Usher Released His First Album at Age 15 - Glimpse inside His Personal Life & Career
Usher has carved his name in the hall of iconic musicians in addition to stealing the hearts of numerous women with his good looks. But the former child star started his career from humble beginnings.
Usher is a name highly recognized across the world for over a decade for his sensational songs and exciting music videos. The entertainer has dominated both the music and film industries with his presence for years to date.
The 42-year-old has won numerous achievements for his talents, and his success hasn't dimmed in the slightest way. Here's everything you need to know about the singer's rise to fame and his private life.
Usher attends the 2017 LACMA Art + Film Gala Honoring Mark Bradford And George Lucas at LACMA on November 4, 2017, in Los Angeles, California. | Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
EARLY LIFE AND CAREER
The iconic singer was born as Usher Terry Raymond IV on October 14, 1978, in Dallas, Texas, but he was raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His passion for music became evident when he began singing for his church's choir at 6-years-old.
Usher's rise to fame occurred two years after he moved to Atlanta with his mother and brother. His breathtaking performance on the hit show "Star Search" gave the 14-year-old a recording contract with LaFace Records.
A year later, Usher released his self-titled debut album in 1994, and this marked the beginning of his successful music career, which has earned him multiple Grammy awards. The entertainer is also known for his appearances in movies such as "In the Mix" and the 2006 Broadway play "Chicago."
Usher Raymond IV attends the "Burden" Atlanta Red Carpet Screening at The Plaza Theatre on March 02, 2020, in Atlanta, Georgia. | Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images
DIVORCE FROM HIS FIRST WIFE
Usher was married to Tameka Foster from 2007–2009; like their highly publicized relationship, their divorce was far from private or peaceful as the former spouses battled for their sons — Usher Raymond V and Naviyd's custody.
Their heated battle came to a truce in 2012 when the singer's stepson Kile Glover was mortally wounded in a tragic jet ski accident on Lake Lanier in Atlanta, and he died after being removed from life support.
Usher Raymond and Tameka Foster at the 15th annual Trumpet Awards at the Bellagio on January 22, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
DIVORCE FROM HIS SECOND WIFE AND HERPES SCANDAL
After his 2009 divorce from Foster, Usher found love again with Grace Miguel. The pair reportedly got engaged in January 2015 and eloped to Cuba later that year for their wedding.
In 2018, the couple released a joint statement announcing their divorce and indicated they would remain friends. The news came a year after the "Confessions" singer was allegedly sued by two women, who claimed he gave them herpes.
The lawsuit against the Grammy winner was reportedly dropped after the release of a recorded phone call where one of the women confessed she used protection during her relationship with the singer.
Usher Raymond IV and Grace Miguel at the 2017 Make a Wish Gala on November 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. | Photo by Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for Make A Wish
ON FATHERHOOD AND WHY HE KEEPS HIS FAMILY LIFE PRIVATE
For a multiple award-winning artist like Usher, keeping his private life away from the public's eyes is nearly impossible. Still, the 42-year-old has managed to keep his family, especially his children, away from the paparazzi.
The "Love In This Club" crooner's love for secrecy could be due to his nasty divorce from his first wife and their battle for their sons, in addition to the various rumors that questioned his qualities as a father.
Despite the rumors, Usher adores his sons and has been captured in numerous adorable moments with the boys on social media. One of such moments was a then and now TikTok video the family made.
Usher and his son, Usher Raymond V, attend Usher's New Look Foundation - World Leadership Conference & Awards 2011 - Day 2 at Cobb Galleria on July 21, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. | Photo by Chris McKay/Getty Images
The footage showed the Grammy winner and his boys as they recreated a throwback picture reportedly taken in 2010 for a People Magazine article. Before this, the singer stated in a 2008 interview that he wished to be a "man of valor" for his kids.
NEW GIRLFRIEND
Usher is currently in a relationship with Jennifer Goicoechea, the rhythm and soul department's director at ASCAP, a non-profit performance rights organization.
Jenn Goicoechea and Usher at Paris Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2020/2021 on February 28, 2020, in Paris, France. | Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
The pair was rumored to be a couple in 2019 after being photographed in a PDA moment by Jennifer Johnson. Then the lovebirds took their relationship to the next level by having a precious baby girl named Sovereign Bo Raymond in September 2020.