Photo Credit: Bob Freeman ©2016 Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
“This is the first time in history that I’ve ever come in 2,588th place—and it felt like No. 1.”
So were the words uttered by eight-time Grammy winner Usher, nee Usher Raymond IV, as he received his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday, September 7 in front of friends who included Stevie Wonder, will.i.am, his Hands of Stone co-star Edgar Ramirez, Kelly Rowland and Miguel, as well as family members such as his mother, Jonetta Patton, wife Grace Miguel and sons Usher Raymond V and Naviyd.
Guests speakers at the ceremony included The Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein, who has supported Usher’s acting career since he was cast in the 1999 film She’s All That to his current release as boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in Hands of Stone and producer Terry Lewis. Music executive attendees included Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid, RCA President of Urban Music Mark Pitts and Warner/Chappell chairman and CEO Jon Platt.
Photo Credit: Bob Freeman ©2016 Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
The philanthropic singer gave a speech that was both funny and touching as he paid homage to the people who have helped his career. “I don’t just celebrate this moment by myself. I celebrate it with those people who invested in me, those people who loved me through my hard times,” he said before thanking his mother. “Mom, thank you for everything and all the people that you’ve actually helped to bring here. They wouldn’t be here if you didn’t recognize and make sure you selected the right people to be around and to help me be the man I am today and in this position.”
He gave one special mention to a present icon, saying to fellow Walk of Famer Wonder, “The one thing you’ve preached to me that’s become a mantra is that love is the key. Thank you for giving me that life lesson.”
Usher also made sure to thank the fans that had gathered since the wee hours to celebrate this personal victory. “It’s because of you that this shining star is here. Now it’s your responsibility to come down here every chance you get to shine my star,” he said, adding, “That’s the smallest thing that I could ask of you right now especially given the fact that I’m going to be walked on.
Usher’s new album, Hard II Love, will be released on September 16. You an currently see him in The Weinstein Company’s boxing drama Hands of Stone opposite Robert De Niro, Edgar Ramirez and Ellen Barkin.
Photo Credit: Bob Freeman ©2016 Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
