While Usher and Alicia Keys were all smiles during their intimate duet at the Super Bowl, some tongues were wagging. But Keys' husband, producer Swizz Beatz, says some detractors are focusing on “the wrong damn thing.”
Keys was one of many artists who joined Usher on stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas during his halftime show on Sunday, making a surprise appearance to perform his 2003 hit “If I Ain't Got You” and sing “My Boo,” their love-struck 2004 duet.
The 16-time Grammy winner appeared on the field playing a red piano while wearing a huge red organza cape and a Swarovski crystal-encrusted Dolce & Gabanna suit to sing the hits. That, not her instantly iconic hug with her collaborator, is what her husband wanted viewers to take away from the concert.
“You guys are talking about the wrong damn thing!!!” he wrote Sunday night on Instagram, sharing a series of photos of his wife's duet.
“You guys don't see that incredible dress that covers the entire stadium,” she wrote. “Tonight's performance was incredible with 2 incredible Giants! Congratulations @usher and my love @aliciakeys that song is a classic… We don't make negative vibes on this side we make history.”
Swizz Beatz, married to Keys since 2010, attended the game with her children Egypt, 13, and Genesis, 9.
Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, seen at the 2022 Met Gala, have been married since 2010 and share two children.
(Evan Agostini / Invisión / Associated Press)
Keys has yet to respond to the public discourse about her performance, but she took to Instagram to show off her customized look without comment. She also shared a clip of model and TV host Chrissy Teigen visibly moved by Keys and Usher while she watched at home.
“I have always liked halftime. I never hate halftime,” Teigen wrote, posting a clip of her at home with her children with musician John Legend. “It's such a big deal and the pressure is so crazy, the timing is so crazy. It's just too much and I'm so proud of anyone who makes this show. But man, when you know all the songs.”
Usher, who sang a medley of his R&B hits, skated and performed a performance billed as “30 Years in the Making,” also invited Will.i.am, Ludacris, Jermaine Dupri, HER and Lil Jon to make cameos during the 13 Minute set produced by Jay-Z's Roc Nation.
“Overall, the performance showed Usher's range and skill, though he might have moved too quickly to adequately demonstrate the emotion in his singing or the heady thoughts about romance that distinguish his songwriting,” wrote Times music critic Mikael Wood, in his review.
But many people still felt the romance. Usher, it seemed, was well aware of his stage presence in a T-shirt and ripping bra. A fake Apple Music disclaimer featured him gently warning viewers that it could cause “singing, dancing, sweating, spinning.” [and] “Possible relationship problems.”
And another notable celebrity felt it firsthand.
“When Usher sang 'Don't Leave Your Girl Near Me,' was he talking to me?” wrote “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Jurassic World” star Chris Pratt, sharing an Instagram clip of his wife, Katherine Schwarzenegger, singing every lyric with the R&B superstar.
And others fully accepted it.
“I CAN’T SPELL USHER WITHOUT HER,” ELLA wrote Sunday on Instagram. “HALFTIME SHOW?!?!???? WHAAAAA. AND IT WAS THE GREATEST EVER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TALENT, YOUR LOVE AND FOR SHARING THIS MOMENT WITH ME. WOW! I DON'T HAVE WORDS”.
“We love you, Usher! All day,” tweeted Actress Keke Palmer, who became embroiled in her own relationship drama after she went viral for being serenaded by Usher during a residential show in Las Vegas in July. sample. She added on Instagram stories: “Usher entertained us since he was about 5 years old. I'm 30 now. It was only a matter of time before he made that Super Bowl and, hey, he ate it up!
“Wow @Usher” tweeted Leslie Jones, “Saturday Night Live” alum. “YOU JUST KILLED THAT M—!!! How does it feel?!”
“Now that @Usher is done performing, how many people are done watching?” asked “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss. “Not gonna lie, I tuned in to #Usher. She killed him! #SuperBowl”
“The man @usher really went crazy!!!” tweeted Great Sean.
“It wouldn't be #BlackHistoryMonth without some #BlackExcellence at the Super Bowl!” tweeted Civil rights attorney Ben Crump. “Usher shared the stage with so many black musical icons and featured performances by Jackson State University’s Sonic Boom of the South and the brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi!”
“Do you know the level of skill it takes to maintain your position consistently AND perform choreographed movements in sync on skates? #Usher” wrote Marketing and public relations professional Ray Love Jr.
