Usher shed some light on the motivation behind his now-famous concert trick of feeding cherries to women — and the reason might not be what you think.
In a recent interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the singer spoke about the popular moment at his shows and revealed what it’s really about.
“The whole idea of the cherries is just giving women the freedom to have fun at a concert,” he said around the 6:20 mark.
The singer then revealed who had told him not to feed their partners the romantic fruit.
“There have been a couple of people who were very clear that they didn't want me to do the cherries,” Usher admitted. “Mookie Betts of the LA Dodgers, he comes over to me and he goes, ‘No serenading, bro. Leave the cherries at home.’”
Earlier this year, Usher opened up about the origins of his cherry-feeding moments on the Jennifer Hudson show.
"Well, it started with strawberries in Vegas. So, you know, I just figured we just try all the fruits until we figure out which one works the best," Usher joked. "But cherries were something that I felt was fun and just kind of active. It was a bit erotic.”
When asked if his wife, Jennifer Goicoechea, "approved" of the cherry segment, Usher added, "Well, she didn't come to the concert 'cause she was hungry."
"It's just fun activation and, I mean, that's what R&B is all about — being connected and making people feel something," he added. "I don't mean to break up houses."
When asked whether he feels responsible for any breakups that happen after his shows because of the cherry moments, the legendary singer made an innocent look and denied having "claim" to ended relationships.
"I have a very happy home and I don't want to break up anybody else's happy home," he said. "But, if you're going to take the risk, why not come to the Usher show and have a good time?"
In May, a woman with a cherry allergy almost didn’t have a good time when Usher tried to feed her one during the show.
When he brought the cherry bag close to the woman’s face during a show from his Past Present and Future tour, the woman tried to let him know that she couldn’t eat them, but he didn’t understand.
Naturally, Usher tried again. And again. The woman then leaned closer to explain what she’d been trying to get him to understand: She was allergic to cherries.
Once Usher finally realized she had a cherry allergy, he immediately made a joke to lighten the mood. “Does anybody have an Epipen in this bitch?” he asked the audience.
