Usher has finally explained the meaning behind his viral cherry-feeding moment at concerts — and it’s not what most fans assumed.
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, the R&B icon revealed the true intention. “The whole idea of the cherries is just giving women the freedom to have fun at a concert,” he said.
Still, not everyone is on board with the fruity flirtation. “There have been a couple of people who were very clear that they didn’t want me to feed cherries,” Usher shared. “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 told The Jennifer Hudson Show how the idea began. “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,” he 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 sultry routine, Usher laughed: “Well, she didn’t come to the concert ’cause she was hungry.” He added, “It’s just fun activation and, I mean, that’s what R&B is all about—being connected and making people feel something. I don’t mean to break up houses.”
Pressed about whether he feels responsible for any breakups caused by the cherry stunt, Usher kept it light. “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?”
Not every fan’s experience has been smooth, though. Back in May, during a stop on his Past Present and Future tour, Usher nearly fed a cherry to a woman with a severe allergy. After she repeatedly tried to signal that she couldn’t eat it, he finally caught on and cracked a joke to ease the moment: “Does anybody have an Epipen in this bitch?”
