Usher Tells Oprah That Ex-Wife Tameka Foster Made Them Enemies
This was the first time Usher has chosen to speak about his personal life.
Sept. 17, 2012— -- Usher didn't hold back anything from Oprah Winfrey on an episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter," speaking candidly about his recent custody battle with Tameka Foster, and admitting that he played a role in their failed marriage.
Oprah visited Usher at his home for an hour-long interview, which aired on OWN Sunday night. Oprah said that she had tried to get Usher to talk to her for years. Last month a judge awarded the 33-year-old singer primary physical custody of the former couple's two sons last month -- 4-year-old Usher Raymond V and 3-year-old Naviyd.
"I really felt like we were friends. She made us enemies in a way that I could never understand," Usher said of his relationship with Foster.
This was the first time Usher has chosen to speak about his, and apparently the last.
"This will be the only time that I've ever chosen to speak about it," he added. "I've been a man of integrity throughout the entire process, which I hope my boys will understand. That's the way to go. That's the way to be."
Usher said he loved Foster and was in love with her leading up to their 2007 marriage.
"There were a ton of people who believed in the marriage and there were a ton of people who didn't," said Usher. One of those people that didn't believe in the marriage was Usher's mother, who decided not to attend the planned ceremony.
"Of course it hurt me. You know…this is supposed to be the person that I feel I'm going to share the rest of my life with and nobody is responding the way that I'd like them to respond," said Usher.
Usher ended up canceling the ceremony hours before it was set to begin. The couple married in a private ceremony later that year. Usher said that the relationship soured quickly, and admitted that he played a part. Oprah asked the mega R&B star if he had ever cheated on Foster.
"Towards the end of our marriage, I found myself lost, and I just wanted out," said Usher. He added, "No. I was faithful at heart, but not faithful all the way. Even having a conversation with another woman, period, about matters of your relationship or emotions is, in my opinion, not being faithful."
"But were you with another woman sexually?" asked Oprah.
"When we were separated, yes, I was," admitted Usher. "We were not divorced."
In July 2012, Foster's son from another marriage, Kile Glover, was killed after being hit by a jet ski. Usher said that he misses Kile, who was very much a part his life when he was married to Foster. Usher insisted that the rumors of him not attending the funeral are false.
"It hurts me to hear the fact that people speculated and said that I wasn't at the funeral because I absolutely was at the funeral," said Usher.
It was shortly after the funeral Usher says he asked Foster to put their custody battle on hold.
"I asked that we not go back to court. It was a personal request that I made to the judge, it was a personal request that I made to Tameka that in this time of grievance that she take that moment to deal and let's deal with this later."
The judge later granted Usher custody, something he says he takes very seriously.
"I've had to temper my life to be there for my children," said Usher, whose full name is Usher Raymond.
And while the often uninhibited singer was candid with Oprah about his personal life, she lightened the mood and asked him if he ever had sex with someone while his music was playing the background.
"Some may say this may be rather narcissistic, but, yeah," answered Usher with laughter.
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