Usher’s journey to this point in his career has been anything but easy. Despite the success he has experienced in his career, there was a time when he contemplated leaving the music industry. The thought of pivoting to acting crossed his mind, but his love for music prevailed.

He said, “No, I want to do what I really love.” Since then he dedicated himself to creating music and delivering electrifying performances and launched a residency in Las Vegas, which turned out to be a resounding success.

Usher’s decision to continue making music was driven by his belief in quality and performance. He didn’t let comparisons to his previous albums deter him. Instead, he chose to spread his wings in Las Vegas, where he could be creative on his own terms.

The pinnacle of this journey was his 2024 performance at the Super Bowl. This wasn’t Usher’s first time on the Super Bowl stage. Thirteen years ago, he shared the stage with The Black-Eyed Peas where he performed his hit song “OMG” during the Super Bowl XLV halftime show in Arlington, Texas.

His previous performance, which involved a two-minute routine ending with a daring leap over will.i.am’s head and landing in a split left a lasting impression on Usher. He vividly remembers a near mishap during his dramatic entrance when his hand got entangled in the wire suspending him 30 feet above the ground, almost causing him to miss his mark.

Equally memorable was the exhilarating feeling of being on that stage, a sensation so profound that it kindled in him a desire to return to the Super Bowl stage. On February 11, 2024, Usher did indeed return to that stage, delivering a stellar performance, but he didn’t collect any profit for his gig.

The online community voiced diverse opinions on the unpaid Super Bowl performance. One user expressed nonchalance, confidently stating, “It’s ok, I’m sure that his bank account is loaded. He’s not hurting.” This sentiment was echoed by another user who simply replied, “Amen.”

Other users compared him to musical legends such as Prince and Michael Jackson, implying that Usher’s performance did not warrant payment. One commented, “I wouldn’t pay for it either. He is no Prince!” while another chimed in, “MJ wasn’t paid either,” referencing Michael Jackson’s iconic Super Bowl performance.

Another user bluntly stated, “He shouldn’t be paid for that performance.” While the exact amount Usher invested in his performance remains undisclosed, it’s worth noting that artists have been known to invest heavily in their Super Bowl halftime shows.

For instance, in 2021, The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, performed at the Super Bowl halftime show and reportedly invested $7 million of his own money to realize his vision for the performance. In the lead-up to his 2024 Super Bowl performance, Usher shared insights into his preparation and hinted at a surprise.

He expressed that performing at the Super Bowl was a dream and a bucket list item for him. He said, “You know, they say what is it, Oscar, Tony, Grammy, Emmy, right? You should put the Super Bowl there too, right?”

Usher shared his strategy for the performance, expressing a desire to revisit his musical journey as far back as his first album, all within the tight 13-minute timeframe. As for whether he would be performing solo or alongside friends, Usher chose to keep the details under wraps, promising only that “it’s gonna be a great show.”