Usher dominated headlines all throughout 2023 and 2024 for his stellar Las Vegas residency, but his visit from Keke Palmer spawned a series of events that put the actress’ relationship in the spotlight. The talented duo linked up on the latest episode of Baby, This Is Keke Palmer to share their thoughts about the incident, reflecting on what they took away from everything that went down.
“We caused some ruckus in my relationship,” the Akeelah and the Bee star coyly said. However, Ursher wasn’t so quick to take the blame, as he responded, “Whoa hold on, did we cause some ruckus?”
He went on, implying that the onus wasn’t on him, adding, “Did I have anything to do with what was going on in your home? Did I send you that dress? I just want to know that… I can not be responsible for how people choose to react to my experience as an entertainer. I’m not tying to do anything that’s going to deliberately try and rock anybody’s home.” The two laughed about the way things played out and dove into a conversation about the boundaries that should be set between an entertainer’s life and their personal relationships.
After Keke teased that “this is Usher ushering,” the Confessions artist emphasized that he is not intentionally ever trying to spark relationship drama, but rather, he’s doing his job as an entertainer night after night.
“This is what I say to myself in the mirror before I go out and hit the stage. I am not here to break up your home. I am here to entertain you, my love… We were having a great time!” he added.
The event is referring to Keke’s 2023 attendance at Ush’s My Way Vegas residency, where the mother of one danced along with the man of the hour as she was serenaded by him. After the show, Darius Jackson, her ex-boyfriend and father of her child, tweeted, “It’s the outfit tho.. you a mom,” which sent social media into a tailspin.
A few weeks after the occurrence, Usher and Keke Palmer doubled down by linking up for the former’s “Boyfriend” music video. When asked why he decided to have Palmer star in his visual, Ush responded, “When live feeds you lemons, you make lemonade.”
“Let’s do something that takes our minds off it and just have a good time and don’t focus on the drama,” the music veteran said before offering his advice about dealing with the noise that comes with being a celebrity. “By the way, if you focus on the drama, then you’re going to respond to it only. But if you just life your live as an entertainer and understand the purpose of whatever you’re creating to service entertainment, then it’ll be okay.”
Keke agreed by saying the wisdom Usher has shared with her throughout the year “will forever be cherished.” The two artists would continue to have a strong relationship, as she also took the stage at the 2024 BET Awards during the Usher tribute alongside Coco Jones, Teyana Taylor, and Victoria Monét.
