Usher recently shared in an interview the story of how he and Justin Timberlake once found themselves in a bidding war over none other than the young pop sensation, Justin Bieber. It all started in the early 2000s, right after Usher’s album “Confessions” when he was introduced to Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun. The R&B singer presented Braun with an offer that he felt was irresistible, sparking a friendly competition between him and Justin Timberlake.
After a bit of back and forth, Usher ultimately emerged victorious and signed Justin Bieber to his and Scooter Braun’s joint record label, Raymond Braun Media Group in 2008. Despite the bidding war, Usher made it clear that his main focus was on delivering his passion and all that he had to offer to the young and promising artist.
Although Usher came out on top, he made it known that there was no bad blood between him and Justin Timberlake. In fact, Usher expressed his desire to collaborate with Timberlake on a record, citing him as an amazing performer with a legacy that commands respect and should not be compared to anyone else.
Fast forward to the recent Super Bowl 2024 halftime show, where Usher electrified millions of viewers with a stellar performance. Many fans were hoping to see Justin Bieber join Usher on stage, especially considering that Usher had personally mentored Bieber. However, Bieber declined Usher’s invite, stating that he “wasn’t feeling it.”
Usher confirmed that Bieber had turned down the invitation, but emphasized that there was no love lost between them. The two artists had a brief conversation and decided to collaborate in the future when the timing felt right for Bieber. Usher went on to marry Jennifer Goicoechea in Las Vegas shortly after his Super Bowl performance, while Bieber and his wife, Hailey, watched the show from a suite in Las Vegas.
The star-studded Super Bowl event saw the likes of Taylor Swift, Kim Kardashian, Ice Spice, Blake Lively, Paul Rudd, Lana Del Rey, Kanye West, Martha Stewart, and Paul McCartney in attendance. Bieber, on the other hand, has been maintaining a low profile since canceling the remaining dates of his “Justice” tour in 2022 due to health reasons.
This recent chapter adds to the rich history of interactions between Usher, Justin Timberlake, and Justin Bieber. While the bidding war may have been intense at the time, it’s clear that mutual respect and admiration exist between these talented artists. Only time will tell if a collaboration between Usher, Timberlake, and Bieber will come to fruition, bringing together three powerhouse artists in the music industry.