Usher Finally Chimes In on Debate Surrounding Keke Palmer's Appearance at His Concert
After the heat of the moment has died down, Usher is finally speaking up.
The R&B legend is chiming in on what went down following one of his recent Las Vegas residency shows that sparked debate—namely between Keke Palmer and her then-boyfriend (possibly ex now, although she has neither publicly confirmed nor denied that fact), Darius Jackson.
Usher hasn't said much on the matter until now, and apparently, he feels that it was a "pop culture moment" that is "worth talking about."
"I think everybody's vision, or a version of what they felt happened there, just leads you back to just really having a good time in Las Vegas," the 44-year-old music icon explained to People. "And that's what I hope came out of it. Rather, it was a conversation of what was going on with us having fun in front of the audience or conversation about that song."
The "My Way" artist made headlines in July when the Key TV creator attended his show in a sheer dress that revealed a thong bodysuit underneath.
After serenading the Nope actress during his performance of "There Goes My Baby"—a segment consistent with his show routine in general—Jackson, with whom Palmer shares infant son Leodis, took to social media to express his disdain with what he witnessed in videos that captured the moment.
"It's the outfit tho.. you a mom," he tweeted at the time, disapproving of the ensemble chosen for the occasion.
He later doubled down on his stance, writing, "We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is. This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case," in an additional social media note on Twitter.
Related: Keke Palmer Fans Defend Her After Boyfriend Darius Jackson's Public Criticism
The comments sparked major controversy online with fans taking sides—some upset that Jackson seemed to be bashing the mother of his child on the internet, and others who felt his opinion was warranted.
Usher, on the outside of the relationship aspect of the ordeal, claimed that he was labeled a "domestic terrorist" following the incident, something he responded to by quipping, "The internet is crazy. You can't beat the internet."
Palmer wasn't the first guest he chose, as the "Burn" singer regularly pulls celebrities on stage with the intent to create a special moment.
"Every night I'm thinking about how the world now is going to react to this moment that I'll have with whoever I'm choosing to sing to," he shared. "But it was a pop moment, and it was fun to have at least conversation going, and we just keep it light. I don't see anything negative happening in Las Vegas."
Related: Keke Palmer Appears to Break Silence After Boyfriend Darius Jackson Mom-Shamed Her Outfit
Though Palmer has yet to directly address Jackson's backlash, she did upload a post on July 7 singing to her son, penning a clear message in the caption. "One thing is certain and one thing is true, IM A MOTHA, through and through!" she wrote before revealing that she's now selling shirts that read "IM A MOTHA" and "Stevie to the bulls**t."
She continued: "To all my mom’s [sic] out there, how did your baby change you?? Mine empowered me! On such another level, my perspective changed because when my baby is good I'm GREAT! Look at that face! Gratitude galore."
The co-parents have since unfollowed one another on social media, and Jackson appeared to delete all photos with Palmer from his Instagram.
We just wish the best for all parties involved!
Next: Keke Palmer Defends 'Powerful' Post-Baby Body After Being Shamed by Partner