Why Wasn’t Justin Bieber Involved in Usher’s Super Bowl Halftime Show?

As fans still recover from Usher’s unforgettable halftime performance, some are wondering why the ‘Love Yourself’ singer didn’t make a guest appearance.

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Photo: Jamie Squire (Getty Images)

While most of us delighted in the majesty of Usher’s catalog spanning, epic Super Bowl Halftime Show, there were a few fans who thought something, or more accurately, someone was missing. With special appearances from Alicia Keys, Lil Jon and Ludacris, there were some viewers who wondered where Justin Bieber was during the big performance.

Once upon a time, the “U Remind Me” singer was Bieber’s mentor, helping him break into the business and shepherding him through the early years of his career. They’ve reportedly remained friends as the “Baby” artist’s career has skyrocketed. This connection led many to believe that Justin would be one of Usher’s guest stars. The “Love Yourself” singer was at the game with his wife, Hailey Bieber, but watched the proceedings from his seat in a VIP suite, enjoying the hit heavy spectacle alongside the rest of us.

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“There’s no bad blood between Usher and Justin,” sources told Page Six. “Justin just wasn’t up for it—he just wasn’t feeling it.”

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I’m not going to pretend like I was on the edge of my seat waiting for Bieber to show up. In fact, I’m glad he didn’t, because his appearance would’ve definitely drawn attention away from Usher’s exceptional talent.

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If you watched Usher sing and dance his way through his immense catalog of hits, saw him roller skate, then watched your significant other go a little crazy when he took his shirt off, how can you see this as anything but a huge success for him? If you were talking about Bieber’s absence after that show was over, I have serious questions about your entertainment preferences.

Usher, nor his show, needed Bieber for star power. The “Burn” artist was the center of attention from the moment he danced across the football field during “Caught Up.”

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Also, Usher was clearly focused on being the “King of R&B,” This is a story that definitely didn’t need Justin Bieber involved.