![Victoria Monét, A'ja Wilson, Janelle Monáe Usher serenade 'My Way' Las Vegas residency](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.vibe.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/vibe-split-215.png?w=910&h=511&crop=1)
At the 2024 BET Awards, the women of R&B pulled an Usher on Usher and serenaded the crooner during his Lifetime Achievement Award tribute.
Whether it was Chlöe giving “Good Kisser” the flowers it deserved, Keke Palmer nailing the “You Make Me Wanna” and “U Don’t Have To Call” choreography, Coco Jones first getting his wife, Jennifer, weak in the knees before pulling him out of his seat with “There Goes My Baby” or Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét recreating his iconic 2004 “Bad Girl” performance with Beyoncé, they all understood their respective assignments.
This took us back to the days of Las Vegas residency, when Anita Baker sang him happy birthday, when he sang to Jenn for hers, and when he became the groupie to several Hollywood superstars for a brief moment in the middle of his show.
It was something that he was praised for because during the My Way run, fans started looking forward to being the apple of his eye. “I love that his shows celebrate Women celebrities,” said content creator Cindy Noir when Victoria Monét became that person during the penultimate show in late 2023. “How often do you see Women celebrities receiving praise and celebrating like this…from men?! I love this for her and all the Women that came before her!”
Usher even confessed to GQ that his residency was dedicated to his female fans. “I really wanted to give women something to look forward to, something to come here to Las Vegas with their friends for,” he shared. “They’ve been saving up all year and were able to manage to get away from their kids or get away from their problems […] They come out and really enjoy themselves for the entire weekend. They want to be able to really get away and have an experience.”
So, let’s take a U-turn down memory lane as we reflect on everyone he swooned over during the final stint of his historic residency.
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Victoria Monét
Image Credit: Paul Morigi/Getty Images for The Recording Academy When Victoria Monét finally linked up with Usher, it became the crossover episode we’d all been begging for. The “On My Mama” singer surprised him with a custom jacket, ahead of his Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Afterward, the two danced to her hit record and he serenaded both her and her mother. “What an amazing time to be able to share this moment with you tonight,” said Usher. “I celebrate you, baby girl. Continue to grow. Continue to be great. Success looks good on you. Keep going.”
Of the moment, Victoria shared on Instagram, “What an unforgettable experience! A living legend and a real class act […] We smiled ALL night long and that’s the type of joy you bring to this world with your timeless, limitless art! And your heart is somehow even better than all of this.”
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Janelle Monáe
Image Credit: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy Janelle Monáe‘s moment was one of the most talked about when it happened. Usher first asked for her permission to proceed, but the Age Of Pleasure singer quickly took over as the dominant one in the situation. She was one of the few to actually make Usher blush while they slow-danced.
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Kimora Lee Simmons
Image Credit: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Anastasia Beverly Hills For the 25th anniversary of “Nice & Slow,” Usher reunited with the video’s love interest, Kimora Lee Simmons. The moment was captured on video by Kim Kardashian. The retired supermodel was initially hesitant to stand up, but was nudged by her friends to relish in the reunion.
“I’ve missed you for so long. I’m happy we’re back here,” Usher said before later joking, “I know our exes are somewhere like ‘what the f**k are they doing?'” He then fed her a chocolate-covered strawberry. “She’s so shy,” Ursher cooed at her before delivering the seductive line, “You gotta finish what you started.”
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Issa Rae
Image Credit: Victor Boyko/Getty Images for Acne Studio During the early days of the My Way residency, Usher and Issa Rae interlocked fingers and held each other’s hands as he sang “Superstar” and she plastered the biggest smile on her face.
“Issa, do you mind if I sing a couple songs to you? Come on, we’re just gonna flip the whole show up. I want you to just sit right here with me,” he asked before guiding her to the steps of the stage.
The Insecure star joked that the moment was her “worst nightmare.” She said on The Morning Hustle, “I wanted to go there to enjoy the show and sit my married a** down,” but thanks to Usher’s persuasion, she had the moment of a lifetime.
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Mary J. Blige
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Glamour Mary J. Blige‘s serenade is probably one of the funniest ones because she ain’t have time for any of his foolishness.
“Y’all know I got a thing for older women,” Usher joked as he approached her in the audience. “Saw you over here looking so fabulous. I just wanna get closer,” he said as he sat down, but she quickly slid his hand off her thigh. She scooted over as he kept trying to inch closer, which made the ordeal even more comical.
It all ended with a hug and Usher reiterating, “I do have a thing for older women. That’s the truth.”
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Jennifer Hudson
Image Credit: Monica Schipper/Getty Images for The Recording Academy Usher was bold when he scooped Jennifer Hudson out of her seat while she was attending the show with her boyfriend, Common. It was hilarious, though, seeing the rapper move the table out of the way, so the two singers could connect more intimately.
The hug from behind had Hudson nearly ready to fall out. “Don’t get shy,” Usher quipped before she blew him a kiss and dapped Common up.
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Doja Cat
Image Credit: Dana Jacobs/Getty Images for Live Nation Doja Cat gave performance when she matched Usher‘s energy in October 2023 during her serenade. Even though she attended the show with her man, the “Agora Hills” rapper went word-for-word with the crooner and rolled her body head-to-toe to the melody. Meanwhile, Usher adjusted the “There Goes My Baby” lyrics slightly just for Doja by singing, “Bet you ain’t know that I was checking you out when you was putting your stilettos on.”
At the time, she donned a mini black latex dress with matching stilettos.
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Jessica Alba
Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images The same night Doja was serenaded, so was Jessica Alba.
As Usher spun her around, he complimented her saying, “You’re looking so nice tonight.” Fans joked that she nearly transformed into her infamous character, Honey Daniels, from the 2003 film, Honey, as she got her two-step on.
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Kenya Moore
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Usher and Kenya Moore are still both ’90s fine.
As he approached her, he cooed, “I got a peach of my own right here. Oh girl, you got those hips out. They gonna be talking ’bout you tomorrow saying, ‘She put that thang on,’ baby. Yes, you did.” Moments later, he asked how she was doing and Moore gushed, “Great now.” He got closer and repeated the question, which made onlookers go wild.
When reflecting on the moment the following day, Moore wrote on Instagram, “Usher snatched my soul last night.” Fans praised his ability to remain a class act and never cross anyone’s boundaries.
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Gabrielle Union
Image Credit: Jason Koerner/Getty Images for Netflix When Usher‘s residency touched down in Paris, Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade made sure to snag those front row seats.
Funny enough, instead of his usual ballad, the crooner opted to have some fun and sing “Boyfriend” considering the actress’ NBA hubby was watching it all go down. After a few notes, Usher cut the music and said, “Let’s stop. Let’s not get carried away. You know, this is Dwyane Wade. I ain’t crazy. That man will knock my whole head off and then dunk it.”
The caption for the post on Usher’s Instagram read, “Look, I don’t want no smoke.”
All parties involved laughed it off, as the men dapped it up and Ursher expressed, “I’m so happy to see you,” continuing with the show.
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Leomie Anderson
Image Credit: Antony Jones/DAZN via Getty Images Model and host Leomie Anderson earned herself a proper serenade during Usher‘s Paris residency in September 2023. She expressed, “I had one shot,” referring to her showing him that she was ready and available to seduce him while he sang to her.
Prior to their sultry dance, Ursher teased, “I think I found my baby over here […] I got to make certain I got the right one.”
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Taraji P. Henson
Image Credit: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Taraji P. Henson was brought onto the stage in September 2022, before he switched his serenading method. For her birthday, she body-rolled all over him while he sang Bobby Brown’s “Rock Wit’cha.” Towards the end, he dropped to his knees before saying, “Happy birthday baby.”
Talk about an unforgettable gift!
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Tiffany Haddish
Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images Tiffany Haddish was first gifted with a custom cocktail as Usher set the mood. “Sorry, I don’t have champagne. I like cognac and I like it neat, so don’t make me chase you,” he said as Haddish admired him.
The King of R&B then began rapping Jay-Z’s “I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me).”
“When the Remy’s in the system, ain’t no tellin’/ Will I f**k ’em? Will I diss ’em? That’s what they be yellin’/ I’m a pimp by blood, not relation/ Y’all be chasin’, I replace them, huh?/ Drunk off Cris’, mami on E/ Can’t keep her little model hands off me,” he declared playfully while she simulated riding him from her chair and grabbed him by the waist.
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Chanté Moore
Image Credit: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET Chanté Moore slow danced with Usher while her husband, Stephen Hill, recorded the entire ordeal.
As Usher complimented the songstress, Hill made faces while the flirtation continued, but they ultimately hugged it out because of their longstanding relationship.
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Khadeen Ellis
Image Credit: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Actively Black For Khadeen Ellis’ 40th birthday, husband Devale whisked her away to Las Vegas to see her “forever favorite” Usher before his Las Vegas run came to an end. She was seated just a few feet away from Victoria Monét and received a special shoutout of her own before Usher and the “Alright” singer had their moment.
When thanking her man for making it happen, Khadeen naturally used all Ursher song references. “HEY DADDY! @iamdevale YEAH!…my love for you will BURN till the day I take my last breath. MY BOO, I’m so CAUGHT UP in all that you are MY SUPERSTAR. Forever yours, HERE I STAND. Your BAD GIRL for life!”
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H.E.R.
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Before H.E.R. and Usher caught up at the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show, they mutually gushed over one another at his residency.
“USHER, IM YOUR BIGGEST FAN!!!!!!!!!! THANK FOR SERENADING ME! I was fangirling so hard,” wrote the Oscar winner. “Thank you for showing me so much love. You’re an ICON. we love you and appreciate you FOREVER!! . @usher a moment I will cherish forever.”
She blew him a kiss while he praised her. “You look so amazing. You are so amazing. I’m astonished by you as a musician, as an artist, as a writer, as a creative, as a friend. I almost feel bad that I’m about to embarrass you the way I am,” Usher said before taking her hand for a slow dance.
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Saweetie
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images Saweetie was one of the first women to be disengaged with Usher as he sang to her. She chewed gum and nodded her head like she was “too cool” to sing along—even Usher pointed it out.
The rapper later claimed she was “caught off guard” by the serenade, but fans still formed their own opinions on the matter.
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Winnie Harlow
Image Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images Winnie Harlow attended Usher‘s show in July 2023, but instead of being called out, she chose to snuggle up with her man, Kyle Kuzma.
As the singer came by, Harlow jumped onto Kuzma’s lap. So, Usher did his thing for a bit before respectfully moving things right along. The model captioned footage from the night with “Figured out the secret to the Usher concert.. sit in your mans lap Mamas. He said ‘She Chose!!!’ Okayyyy.”
This happened right after the drama with Keke Palmer‘s appearance at Usher’s residency.
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Tinashe
Image Credit: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Spotify Usher and Tinashe’s moment was brief, but memorable. As he tip-toed his way through the crowd, he spotted the “2 On” singer.
While singing the bridge of “Superstar”—Girl, you’re one of a kind/ ‘Cause they don’t make ’em like you anymore/ So, I’ll be your fan life/ I dedicate this to my superstar for all time—he grabbed Tinashe’s hand and made sure she knew that part was dedicated to her.
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A'ja Wilson
Image Credit: Harry How/Getty Images A’ja Wilson actually shot her shot in order to attend Usher‘s residency. After winning the WNBA championship for the second year in a row, she invited the crooner to attend their celebratory parade. Since he couldn’t make it, he instead welcomed her at his show.
During the show, the all-star athlete was in awe. “When you reached out to me, did you expect me to bring it to you front and center like this?,” he asked. A’ja said no and Usher quipped, “You know I wasn’t gon’ let that slide. You sure you can handle what’s getting ready to happen?”
He pulled out a chocolate-covered strawberry and teased, “Can I feed you, baby? Can I treat you, baby?” She erupted into a fit of giggles before taking a bite as he sang to her—grabbing her face and all. The moment ended in a hug as Usher said, “I had to do it to you, baby.”
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Summer Walker
Image Credit: Rick Kern/Getty Images for Honeyland Festival Summer Walker is more of a little sister to Usher.
So, when he showed her some love, he chose to spotlight their relationship instead. “I love you, Summer. You know how it is. The kids play together. We have long talks. We go through s**t together. We [even] wrote a song about it,” he said before they sang along to their collaboration, “Good Good.”
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Marsha Ambrosius
Image Credit: Leon Bennett/Getty Images When Usher pulled in Marsha Ambrosius from behind, this was a rare instance where he sang a song that wasn’t his own. He flipped the script and serenaded her with her own ballad, “Say Yes.”
The two rocked back-and-forth together before she seemingly gave it up to God and repented.
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Tisha Campbell
Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Usher serenading Tisha Campbell was a ’90s heartthrob dream come true.
Funny enough, it was his birthday, but he opted to make the My Wife & Kids actress the star of the show. He cupped her face in his hand as she smiled wide.
“Gina!,” he yelled jokingly as they hugged, referencing to her iconic lead role on Martin—which made her giggle. She then wished him a happy birthday before she hit a cute, quick bop.
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Keke Palmer
Image Credit: Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images for BET Keke Palmer‘s attendance at Usher‘s residency was easily the most controversial. It happened just a few months after she gave birth to her first child, Leodis, and the new mom rocked a black mesh dress with a bodysuit underneath. She was one of the few who actually sang along to “There Goes My Baby” while dancing with him and savoring every second of the moment.
Despite backlash from the father of her child, Palmer reflected on the serenade by noting, “I wish I had taken more pictures but we were running late. I am telling y’all right now, if you haven’t seen @usher YOU MUST GO!! HE WAS SO FABULOUS!!”
Because of all the problematic takes, Palmer and Usher collaborated the following month and she starred in the video for his single, “Boyfriend.” To which she gushed, “I know I’m a gUrL but when I watched your videos, I never wanted to be the girl in them, I wanted to be YOU. Thank you for making a dream come true.”