Photos: Usher Talks Justin Bieber’s Behavior, His New Album, & More With Billboard Magazine

It’s Usher season once again!
The former Voice judge and singing sensation recently covered Billboard Magazine and he dished on all the things his fans really want to know about. Although his album The UR Experience has been pushed back for now, he’s gearing up to head on a country-wide tour and give us a show that we won’t forget.

In the magazine spread, Usher showed off his royal style, and talked about Diddy, his older and longtime girlfriend Grace Miguel, and his thoughts on Justin Bieber‘s behavior.
Check out some snippets from his interview below.







On pushing his album back indefinitely:

“I just ain’t ready. Meaning I have more that I want to say and more that I want to do. My process is pretty different. L.A. Reid will tell you, it takes two albums to make one with Usher.
Marketing is more important than it has ever been,” he says. “But I’m trying to tear the layers back and make it not so contrived. I think people just want entertainment. For certain artists it might be hard, but they don’t have the show.”

On his extra fit body:

 “These days, I try to eat for my blood type when I’m not eating for the fat kid inside me,” he says. His blood type? “A doctor I know came up with it, but hasn’t released it yet, so I don’t want to tell you too much about it,” he explains. “But the idea is to eat the foods that work best for your body. For my blood type the meats I can eat are pork, beef and fish.”

On his friendship with Diddy:

“I’d say I earned my stripes in New York City. My time with Puff, it gave me chutzpah….I got to see performers like Tupac Shakur,” he says. “Redman, Method Man, Ice Cube. I got to perform onstage with The Notorious B.I.G., be in sessions with him and Craig Mack. I got to be part of the driving force that was Bad Boy, that was Puff.”

On his current relationship with protege Justin Bieber:

“Our relationship is more man-to-man now.  He’s making his own decisions and it’s important to show support. I can say I’m not happy with all the choices my friend has made, but I’m supportive of him. I try my hardest to give as much positive reinforcement as I can. I’ll punch him in the f—ing chest when I need to, and give him a hug and kiss when I need to. It’s more than just mentoring. I love the kid.”

On his girlfriend Grace Miguel:

“I have an incredible partner and manager.  She has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and my career.
She’s someone who has been able to support and understand all of who I am.  Not just as a dancer or as a performer or as a singer, but as a humanitarian and a businessman and as a person.  One thing that has come from having a great partner like Grace is being able to cherish the places that I’ve gone,” he says. “We see the monumental sites, go to the museums, eat in the best restaurants. I’m that guy now! In the past I’d do what I have to do and get on the bus to the next city. Life has become a vacation.”

It looks like Usher is in a really good space right now, and we can’t wait until he’s ready to put that album out. Check out the full interview over at Billboard!

SOURCE: Billboard | PHOTO CREDIT: Billboard