At 45, Usher Finally Breaks His Silence on Ex-Wife Tameka Foster and the Truth Behind Their Marriage

Years after their high-profile divorce, Usher and his ex-wife Tameka Foster continue to make headlines as rumors and speculation about their relationship refuse to fade.

Despite the passage of time, Foster still faces accusations that she married the R&B superstar for his money—claims she has vehemently denied.

Tameka Foster, a respected stylist who worked with celebrities like Jay-Z and Patti LaBelle, first met Usher in 2005 when he was just 27. To the public, Foster was a mysterious figure, and many fans struggled to accept her as Usher’s partner, especially given their eight-year age gap and the fact that Foster was already a mother of three.

The couple married in 2007, but from the start, Foster was dogged by accusations of being a “gold digger.”

Foster has repeatedly addressed these rumors, most recently in her memoir, “Here I Stand.” She insists that her love for Usher was genuine and that her income actually decreased after their marriage.

“It wasn’t gold digging,” Foster stated. “I really, really loved my husband.” Even after their 2009 divorce, Foster has continued to push back against the narrative that she married Usher for financial gain, explaining that the public scrutiny took a personal toll.

During their brief two-year marriage, the couple had two sons, Usher Raymond V and Naviyd Ely. Usher has since remarried and welcomed more children, while Foster remains single.

Despite their rocky history, the two have worked to maintain a functional co-parenting relationship, even if their early post-divorce years were marked by custody battles and public disputes.

Recently, Usher took the stage at the 2024 BET Awards to accept the Lifetime Achievement Award. In his speech, he reflected on his personal growth and the challenges he’s faced, particularly as a father.

He called for forgiveness and highlighted the importance of co-parenting, referencing his sons with Foster and his children with his current wife, Jenn Goicoechea.

Usher’s comments about working to be “cool for the kids’ sake” and giving “Tameka a try” at co-parenting sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans felt he was unfairly painting Foster as a difficult co-parent, while others saw it as a gesture of reconciliation.

Social media buzzed with opinions, with some viewers suggesting Usher’s remarks were unnecessary and could be interpreted as public manipulation.

Others noted that Foster, despite everything, has spoken positively about their current relationship, saying their sons now have the freedom to choose which parent they want to be with and that their family dynamic is open and supportive.

Foster has also addressed other persistent rumors, including claims she broke up Usher’s previous relationship with TLC’s Chilli. She firmly denies any such involvement, emphasizing that much of the criticism she received came from people who looked like her—women she expected to be her supporters.

Despite nearly 15 years since their split, Foster continues to defend herself against harsh public scrutiny. Both she and Usher have acknowledged the challenges they faced, but today, they appear committed to co-parenting and moving forward.

Foster’s story serves as a reminder that even in the glare of celebrity, the truth behind a relationship is often far more complicated than the rumors suggest.