Fingers crossed that there are no malfunctions for Usher at this year’s Super Bowl!
On Thursday, the singer held a press conference ahead of his Halftime Show performance in Las Vegas, where he reflected on the last time he hit the stage at the Big Game in 2011 with the Black Eyed Peas.
“Oddly enough, there was a moment that only I think I remember,” he said. “My hand got caught in the wire that was holding me 30 feet in the air and I almost missed my first mark.”
At the show, Usher landed on stage mid-performance while holding onto a metal pole. In the broadcast, Usher has to remove himself from the pole with his other hand briefly. Now, he reveals that he was stuck to the contraption and that it was a “malfunction.”
“I was like, ‘Oh my god. Don’t let this malfunction cause me to miss something,’” Usher said Thursday. Luckily, he was able to free himself in time to perform a dance routine to “OMG” with Will.i.am.
As he finished his performance, he remembered “how amazing it felt to be in front of that many people and feel the energy.”
“So much so that it made me really passionate about eventually getting this moment that I’m getting ready to have,” he continued. “But it was really fueled by being able to be in that moment with the Black Eyed Peas.”
During the press conference, Usher shared how he approached making his setlist for his 13 minutes onstage, saying he’ll bring a bit of his Vegas residency (including one part of the show where he dances on skates) to the show.
“I was very mindful of my past, celebrating my present which is here in Las Vegas, and thinking about where we’re headed in the future,” he said. “That was really the idea: What songs do people know me for, what songs are a celebration of the life, love, and journey that’s been in my music.”
“I wanted to put on a show that represented my idea of creativity. What I wanted to do is bring a great deal of Atlanta to Las Vegas,” he added. “That is the source that has been fueling me for these years creatively.” Thursday’s press conference also featured an interview with pregame performers Post Malone, Andra Day, and Reba McEntire.
The singer also announced his ninth album, Coming Home, out Feb. 9, and his Past Present Future tour, which kicks off in late August. The trek marks Usher’s first proper headlining tour since his 2014-2015 UR Experience Tour. In the nearly decade since, he’s largely played one-off gigs and festivals, though the past several years have been dedicated to his hit residencies in Las Vegas (plus a run in Paris). Back in December, Usher wrapped his “My Way” residency at the Park MGM after performing 100 shows.
