By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Although he's riding a wave of success with the R. Kelly duet 'Same Girl,' Usher should really do a remake of the Smokey Robinson & the Miracles classic 'You Really Got A Hold On Me.'
Because when it comes to his pregnant fiancé Tameka Foster, that's the name of his tune for sure.
The multiple Grammy Award winning R&B crooner sent an open letter to 'People' magazine addressing the rumors regarding his relationship with Foster – from their rumored wedding date being moved up from the fall to this month – to Tom Joyner's claim that Usher
threatened him.
Regarding the 'New York Post's' story that the wedding will take place by the end of July in order to beat the arrival of their baby, Usher offered: "Since my wedding day will be special to Tameka and I, this is information that we would like to keep private."
On nationally syndicated radio personality Tom Joyner's shocking claims that Usher threatened to "whoop" his a** after he made fun of the rumored tension between Foster and Usher's mother and former manager, Jonetta Patton, he said: "I have never threatened or harassed anyone from any media format."
Here is Usher, in his own words:
"It has already been announced that I plan to marry this year. However, since my wedding day will be special to Tameka and I, this is information that we would like to keep private. It's disturbing that the media and bloggers (under the guise as 'fans') continuously speculate on the personal aspects of my life, therefore making assumptions and wrong insinuations that my fans are subject to believe.
"I am happy, excited, completely clear and independent on my direction, feelings, decisions and I am NOT BEING LED. Some media and bloggers have been totally intrusive, they have misconstrued aspects of my personal life and, because of this, my 'true' fans are not sure about what is fact and what is fiction. There is a difference in stating an opinion versus drawing a conclusion that is incorrect.
"As previously reported, I have NEVER threatened or harassed anyone from any media format – print, radio, television or Internet media. At this point the best thing to say to my fans is just because it sounds enticing and it MAY sound 'true,' that does not make it truth. I understand the fact that I must sacrifice some anonymity for the career I love, however some things are personal like having a child or a marriage. These aspects are not for the public and, to me, are sacred. I would hope my privacy in these areas would be respected."
It appears that the Chattanooga native and his future missus seems to have a love affair with mainstream magazines owned by Time, Inc. Just last month, Foster, herself got up, close and personal with 'Essence' magazine, tackling the same sort of issues.
Usher (legally known as Usher Raymond) has a new album due out this fall.
I suspect things are going to be quite interesting this go round for him.


Comments: (277)
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By: furthermore on 7/15/2007 10:16AM
From one brother to another keep pushing on and let the haters keep hating. We love the music you write and you'll continue to have our support.
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By: Ashanti on 7/15/2007 10:35AM
What does it matter how she looks. That is why so many marriages fail today, they are based on superficial things. Beauty fades in time, but true love last for eternity. People can be so cruel and say some very ugly things. This is this mans fiance' you are talking about. I am sure in his eyes she is beautiful and thats all that matters. Congrats Usher.
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By: jade on 7/15/2007 10:44AM
I think that Usher and this woman should focus on being good parents to this child that will soon be here. I myself do think that she looks like a man but like someone else said to each his own. I just hopes the baby takes looks after him. I also thinks she looks very sneaky and advises that he watch his back and his front. I also would like to say Usher never dis your mother for anyone because beleive me you will need her in one way or another beleive that.............
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By: AMANSTHOUGHT on 7/15/2007 10:40AM
Usher congrats on the new additions. Just be mindful that an expecting woman is very demanding especially after the birth. I know you will be there for the birth, but then you have an upcoming album with a tour to follow. I hope that your soon to be is far more understanding than she was when you were dating. It's a difference because now she has you on paper. I wish you two the best.
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By: ty on 7/15/2007 10:42AM
she has something on him i know it for a fact, cause shes not all that at all. usher can have any woman, why her? BLACKMAIL.
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By: J.R.Winfree on 7/15/2007 10:43AM
"Bishop James & Betty R Winfree Ministries"
How God Answers Prayer
This is food for the spirit man,soul food!
1. In our study on prayer, we have examined...
a. The purpose of prayer d. The principles of prayer
b. The power of prayer e. The persistence of prayer
c. The privilege of prayer f. The practice of prayer
2. Why don't people pray more often...?
a. Perhaps they don't believe their prayers are being answered
b. Not knowing how God answers, they may have lost faith in prayer
[Lest we begin to think that God does not hear us when we pray, we
should remember that there are at least four ways that God answers
prayer, beginning with...]
I. REQUEST GRANTED
A. GOD MAY ANSWER "YES"...
1. God often grants the petitions we ask of Him - Psa 118:5; 138:3
2. Especially when we put Him first in our lives - Matt 6:33;
Prov 3:5-10
B. FOR GOD TO ANSWER "YES"...
1. We must ask according to His will - 1 John 5:14
2. We must be doing His will in our lives - 1 John 3:22
[Naturally we rejoice when God grants our request. But sometimes we may
receive the answer...]
II. REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT YET
A. GOD MAY ANSWER "YES, BUT WAIT..."
1. God may grant our request, but in time and according to His
purpose - Eccl 3:1,11
2. So we may think God is saying "No", when He is really saying
"Yes, but wait" - Luke 18:7
B. WHEN THE ANSWER SEEMS TO BE "WAIT"...
1. We need to have patience - Heb 6:10-12
2. We need to keep asking, seeking, knocking - Luke 11:8-10
3. We need to remember God's promise - Rom 8:24
[When God seems to be saying "yes, but wait", it is a time for patience
and trust in His providence. We need similar trust should it become
apparent that God's answer is...]
III. REQUEST GRANTED, BUT NOT AS EXPECTED
A. GOD MAY ANSWER "YES, BUT NOT AS YOU THINK..."
1. Sometimes God answers in a way differently than we may
anticipate
2. Remember, His thoughts and methods are much different than ours
- Isa 55:8,9
3. For example, asking God for strength and perseverance...
a. He may give us trials to bear - e.g., Phil 1:29-30
b. Which in turn develops the virtues we prayed for! - . Rom
5:3-4
B. WE MUST NOT LIMIT GOD'S OPTIONS...
1. We should be careful and not dictate to God how to answer our
prayers
a. There are forces at work beyond what we can imagine - Eph
3:20
b. Plus, we do not always know what to pray for as we ought
- Rom 8:26
2. Limit the how and we might limit the result; e.g., when praying
for the sick...
a. Do we pray simply that God bless the use of natural means
(doctors, medicine, etc.)?
b. If so, might we limit God as to how He might restore them?
(in ways beyond what we are able to imagine)?
c. Is it not better to simply ask God to restore the sick, and
leave the methods to Him?
[As we pray, our trust in God should allow Him latitude to answer
however He deems best. We especially need trust in God should it become
apparent that the answer to prayer is...]
IV. REQUEST DENIED
A. GOD MAY ANSWER "NO"...
1. There may be times when God denies our requests - James 4:3
2. We must trust that God, who knows what is best, would do so
only if granting our request might not be for our good - Heb
12:5-11
B. WHEN GOD SEEMS TO SAY "NO"...
1. We may not fully understand, but we can still fully trust Him!
- Hab 3:17-19
2. Especially in light of the promise in 1 Cor 10:13
3. God will provide the grace and mercy to do without - e.g., 2 Cor
12:7-9
1. In at least four ways, then, God answers our prayers...
a. Request granted
b. Request granted, but not yet
c. Request granted, but not as expected
d. Request denied
2. However God may choose to answer our prayers...
a. We can have confidence that it will be for our good
b. We should never grow weary in praying to God
"The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer."
- Psa 6:9
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By: Christy on 7/15/2007 11:04AM
I hope Usher is very careful becasue she does look like a sneaky one and she already have kids of her own. How conveinent to get knocked up again by a very rich younger guy that she can run. He needs to listen to his mother she has his best interest at heart. He was with chili all those years and he didn't want to get married and now all of a sudden he wants to marry this lady that looks old enough to be his mother. USHER you are young black and rich DON"T GET HUSTLED
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By: silverbat on 7/15/2007 11:07AM
I can't understand why we are praising celebrities for having children out of wedlock!!!!!!!! Remember the old children's patty cake chime....first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes the baby carriage. They are just another statistic; Kim and Diddy, too. Irresponsible.
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By: PEACHES on 7/15/2007 11:18AM
I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HE IS HAVING A BABY BY SOMEONE THAT LOOKS LIKE THAT IF YOU WAS GOING TO BE WITH SOMEONE OLDER THEN YOU WHY NOT CHILL THAT IS ALL THAT I'M SAYING SHE LOOKS BETTER THEN HER AND NOT LOOKING SO OLD WE LOVE YOU BUT COME ON
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By: Rosie on 7/15/2007 1:51PM
good luck and stay strong brotha!
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