Usher's Four Kids Are Growing Up Fast
He might be a multiple award-winning artist, but for Usher, nothing is more fulfilling than his role as a father. "I'm a dad, first and foremost. Of course, I have to travel and make a living, but my sons are my priority ... I never knew I could be so happy just hanging out with them. I was born for this," the R&B icon gushed to Black Doctor in 2014. Usher first became a father in November 2007 when he welcomed son Usher Raymond V with his then-wife Tameka Foster. The following year, in December 2008, the couple welcomed their second child, a son Naviyd Ely. And while Usher undoubtedly enjoyed his new title, it took the singer another 12 years to expand his brood.
In September 2020, a source revealed that the "I Don't Mind" singer was expecting his first child with longtime girlfriend, Jenn Goicoechea. "Usher's very excited to be a dad again. They're both thrilled to be expecting," the insider confirmed to People. A few weeks later, the pair welcomed their daughter, Sovereign Bo. "We are feeling blessed and full of love with the arrival of our beautiful baby girl, Sovereign Bo Raymond," Usher wrote in a heartwarming post shared on his Instagram at the time. A year later, the singer became a father of four after welcoming son Sire Castrello with Goicoechea. All in all, all of Usher's children seem to be growing up pretty fast.
Usher V and Naviyd Ely don't care about their father's fame
During a 2022 appearance on "The Tamron Hall Show," Usher revealed his two oldest sons were not impressed with his status as a global superstar. "They do, but they don't care," Usher said in response to Hall's question about whether his kids understood his stardom. According to the singer, Usher V, also known as Cinco, is not particularly pleased he shares the same name with his famous father. "I have one son, Cinco, who does not like to be called Usher, who tries to get away from it," Usher said, adding that Naviyd had already started showing interest in entertainment.
But despite the singer's busy schedule, he admits always making time to be with his kids. Yet, it appears the oldest of the brood are too cool to hang out with their famous dad. "My youngest, the 1-and 2-year-olds, they're here [in Las Vegas], while my two [older] boys are now less interested in spending time with me, oddly. Unless I'm taking them to a concert or paying for something they want," he quipped.
But while Usher V and Naviyd Ely might not be too keen on spending time with Usher, they have no problem joining him in his philanthropic activities. In November 2022, the singer shared an Instagram photo of himself and the teenagers handing out free food to residents of Freedom Village Family Service Center.
Usher's kids serve as an inspiration for him
Fatherhood is undoubtedly a blessing to many, and it's no different for Usher. So much so that he sometimes draws inspiration from his kids. In September 2020, the "Love in This Club" singer opened up about his song "I Cry," revealing that it was inspired by an emotional moment with his kids, Naviyd Ely and Usher V, while watching an animated movie. "I'm not shy in terms of being honest with my kids about the fact that I didn't have a relationship with my father at all. And there was a moment between a son and a father and it got to me — I started crying," the singer recounted during an interview with WPGC 95.5 FM (via People). "So my kids, they look over at me and they're like, 'Are you crying?!' I'm like, 'Yeah, I'm crying!' They're like, 'You cry?!' I'm like, 'Yeah, I cry, and it's okay to cry.' And the beginning of the idea was born there," he added.
When he's not gaining musical inspiration from them, Usher learns valuable life lessons from his kids. The singer's oldest son, Usher V, was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2014 and has since continued to live with the disease. But as unpleasant as the situation is, Usher couldn't be prouder of his little one. "A child that every day has to prick himself and has to be cautious of what he eats and also to carry this disorder around; that really is the type of bravery that we all aspire to have," he once said (via ABC News).
For Usher, the journey of fatherhood intertwines with his music and life, teaching him lessons of vulnerability, inspiration, and unmatched bravery — and we're here for it.