Usher Reveals Warning from Pro Athlete Against Flirting with His Wife During Sensual Show Segment
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Usher, known for his seductive performances, recently shared an interesting encounter during a segment of his Las Vegas residency show in 2022. The renowned singer disclosed that he received a cautionary message from an athlete, advising him to refrain from flirting with his wife during one of his steamy serenades. The incident was brought to light during Usher’s appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Thursday, September 11, where he shed light on the amusing incident.
The conversation took a humorous turn when Colbert, intrigued by Usher’s onstage antics, quizzed him about any encounters with displeased partners of his female fans. Usher chuckled as he revealed, “There have been a couple of people who are very clear that they didn’t want me to feed cherries. Mookie Betts of the L.A. Dodgers, he said, he comes over to me, he’s like, ‘No serenade. Leave the cherries at home. No cherries,'” recounting the advice given by Betts, who is married to Brianna Hammonds.
Colbert reacted light-heartedly, pointing out the prudence in heeding the advice of a professional athlete, quipping, “That’s a man that uses a bat professionally. I would listen.” The banter continued as Colbert probed Usher on his secret to captivating his female audience. Usher responded by emphasising that the cherry ritual was about providing women with a liberating and enjoyable experience during his concerts, stating, “The whole idea of cherries is just giving women the freedom to have fun at a concert.”
The genesis of Usher’s cherry-feeding spectacle dates back to his Vegas performances, where he experimented with various fruits before settling on cherries as the focal point. Explaining his creative process, Usher shared, “It started with strawberries in Vegas. So, you know, I just figured we try all the fruits until we figured out which one works the best.” The Grammy winner went on to describe cherries as playful and slightly provocative, adding an element of excitement to his shows.
Taking the cherry-feeding act beyond his residency, Usher made headlines when he delighted Sabrina Carpenter with a cherry at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City. However, the seemingly innocent gesture sparked a humorous reaction from Carpenter’s father, as captured in her Instagram post. Usher promptly apologised to Mr. Carpenter in the comments section, showcasing his good-natured response to the amusing incident.
As Usher continues to captivate audiences with his enthralling performances, the cherry motif has become synonymous with his concerts, symbolising a lively and interactive experience for concert-goers. The playful banter and comedic incidents that ensue only add to the charm of Usher’s shows, creating memorable moments for both fans and unexpected participants alike.