Usher talks to Ellen DeGeneres about the biggest surprise of all

Musician Usher, 29, taped an appearance for The Ellen DeGeneres Show earlier this week. In the episode which airs today, Usher spoke of the love he has for his family, his most "amazing" project yet and learning the difficulties of fatherhood. Usher is married to Tameka Foster, 37, and they have one son, Usher Raymond V, 6 months on Monday.

Of his son, Usher said that he is the light of his life and a true blessing.

He is my reason for living. [Aside from] my wife, obviously, for helping me have him.

Usher also credited Tameka for making him the man he is today and for her help is raising their son.

She’s built up, the foundation of who I am. I want to see more men standing with their women. I want to see more men be open and honest about where they are in life.

When asked about honesty, Usher revealed that the biggest surprise was having a baby.

That I had him — that was a big surprise! [And] learning more and more about the beauty of fatherhood. As an African-American, to be there for my child is so important when there are so many young African-American kids without their fathers. I just want him to grow up to be as wise as he can possibly be, kind and open hearted. [Fatherhood] changes everything about me.

Source: PEOPLE; Photo by Startraks.

Comments

Well, thanks Usher for throwing African-American fathers under the bus. There are plenty of African-American men who are involved fathers. Be careful with generalizing!

- Marcus on May 23rd, 2008

Marcus, he never says “all” , he just says many.

- Sarita on May 23rd, 2008

*Marcus*, that is EXACTLY what I thought, too! It’s not as if only African-American children are without fathers.

It just seemed like a really ignorant comment to make….

- Tracy on May 23rd, 2008

there are also a lot of white and spanish people without active faters in there life….it’s not just black people, it’s everywhere and with all types.

- Lin on May 23rd, 2008

Marcus, I don’t think that Usher was trying to insult black men, but could it be that he’s speaking from his own experience? I think his own father was absent from his life while he was growing up, and he wants a different experience for his son – I don’t see anything wrong with that. He has a right to an opinion about what he sees in his life just like anyone else.

Having said that, when are we going to see an official photo of the little one, Usher??!?? It’s been over six months already…

- Chicki on May 23rd, 2008

Uhm, Lin, not to get all PC on you or anything, but White and Spanish are the same thing. I think you meant Hispanic…..

Anyway, I did feel that that was a very ignorant comment from Usher. But, ignorance aside, he does come across as a very dedicated father in this interview. At least there’s that.

- Luisa on May 23rd, 2008

Luisa,

Being white and Hispanic ARE NOT THE SAME THING!! The comment from Usher is not ignorant, he DID NOT GROW UP WITHOUT A FATHER!! Some of you are too sensative.

- Kaya on May 23rd, 2008

*spanish

- Kaya on May 23rd, 2008

Ummm, not to change the topic on what seems to be a heated discussion, but am I the only person on this blog who immediately zeroed in on the following quote?:

“He is my reason for living. [Aside from] my wife, obviously, for helping me have him”

Helping him?! I’m 3 weeks from my due date, and if my husband said that, I’d have him begging for his life. Here’s hoping Tameka has the same thought!

- Stephanie on May 23rd, 2008

As an African American I wasn’t offended by Usher’s comment because he’s speaking from experience. I don’t think he meant it as a put down to all African American men…but since his father wasn’t around and he knows other people who didn’t have their father around, that prompted him to make that statement. He’s speaking from his own personal experience. I’m sure Usher isn’t stupid and thinks only African American men don’t take care of their children because thats an issue across the board. No matter what your race is…alot of people have experienced growing up in a single parent house. Anyhoo, I’m glad to see Usher doing his thing and taking care of family and not letting outside influences try and tear them down!!!

- Jay on May 23rd, 2008

What a happy family. I wish the family much happiness:)

- Lisa on May 23rd, 2008

Spanish people are from Europe which technically makes them white as opposed to “Hispanic” which usually refers to ppl from Latin America who are a mix of White, African, and Native American.

- esperanza on May 23rd, 2008

Stephanie, I saw that too. If all he needed was help having a biological child he could have hired a surrogate!

- Rebecca on May 23rd, 2008

i just want to see a pic of the baby lol!

- Mary on May 23rd, 2008

I think “Latino”, not Hispanic, refers to Latin Americans. That’s my understanding at least. I’m really commenting though to support Usher for committing to be a good dad and male role model. Congrats to Usher and Tameka on your baby boy!!!

- Sasha on May 23rd, 2008

White and Spanish are not the same thing.People of all different countries come in all different colours/sizes and creeds. Look at Esther Canadas and Penelope Cruz. They are both spanish, but no one has ever referred to Penelope as white like they do with Esther.

I don’t think we should just all zero in on little sentences like in Usher’s comments. I don’t think he was distant from his father.He named his son after his father etc (all the Ushers). I got from his comments that sons need there fathers. Maybe he wishes his dad were still alive.

- Aya on May 24th, 2008

stephanie i agree if my boyfriend said that he would be sleeping outside right now

- a on May 24th, 2008

Wow, this blog took an interesting turn. LOL

Statistically speaking, African American children are more likely to be raised in single-parent households. That statistic has gotten better, but we still have a ways to go.

I think Usher, having grown up without his father…and possibly in a neighborhood/school where that was a common theme…decided that he was going to create a better situation for his children. He appears to have done that, which I think is great.

I love the respect that he shows his wife. He seems to really love and appreciate her contribution to his life.

- m-dot on May 24th, 2008

being a parent is a beautiful thing..

- Bella Mama on May 28th, 2008

1.) His comment about his wife’s “help”, seems to have been taken out of context by some of you all. Really, don’t be so sensitive!

2.) People who are jumping on him because he talked about African-Americans and fatherhood….. uhh sorry but you all are in DENIAL, which helps feeds the situation. There are far too many A.A. fathers who are missing at an alarming rate.

- ugh on May 28th, 2008

i luv usher and im not a hater on tameka but i think usher picked the wrong woman to marry and have a child with him!

- nicole bryant on September 9th, 2008