Usher, the Grammy-winning R&B singer and renowned dancer, has a surprising connection to none other than Beyoncé herself. In a recent interview with the U.K. radio show Capital Breakfast With Roman Kemp, Usher revealed that he actually looked after Beyoncé when they were young.
As Usher shared, he knew Beyoncé when she was just 12 or 11 years old, back when she was a part of the group called the Dolls. While he hesitates to call himself their babysitter, there was a time when he found himself responsible for watching over the Dolls.
The interesting story began when Usher was at record producer and songwriter Daryl Simmons’ house one day. Simmons happened to be working with the Dolls at that time, and Usher found himself in the role of chaperone or nanny since he was the oldest person present.
Since those early days, both Usher and Beyoncé have achieved remarkable success in their careers, earning numerous Grammy, Billboard, and MTV Video Music awards. In 2008, they even collaborated on Usher’s single “Love in This Club, Part II,” featuring rapper Lil Wayne.
Their connection runs deeper than just music, as they are also business partners. Both Usher and Beyoncé have a stake in the music streaming service Tidal, which was acquired by Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z, in 2015.
So, it seems that Usher and Beyoncé’s paths crossed not just professionally, but also personally during their upbringing. This unexpected revelation adds yet another layer to the fascinating stories behind these two iconic artists.