Usher has turned to music legend Janet Jackson for inspiration while putting together his highly-anticipated set for the Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance, according to insiders, who claim the pair have been in ‘regular contact.’
The OMG singer, 45, has reportedly been studying the pop powerhouse, 57, during rehearsals as he gears up to entertain millions of fans and spectators at the Allegiant Stadium on Sunday night.
Though Usher has not worked with Janet in recent years, longtime fans of the singer will remember that the star was invited along to open for Janet’s Velvet Rope Tour in 1998 – when he was making waves with his second album, My Way.
Now, Usher is set to use his big moment as a chance to show his appreciation to the pop music icon, and wants to use his set to ‘rectify’ what happened during her controversial 2004 performance with Justin Timberlake.
Usher has turned to music legend Janet Jackson for inspiration ahead of his highly-anticipated set for the Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance
‘They’ve been in regular contact,’ an insider dished to DailyMail.com. ‘He’s been studying her during rehearsals so you’ll see some of her influence in the Pop part of his set.’
The source added that Janet has been sharing valuable words of wisdom to ensure the Burn hitmaker remembers to enjoy the moment.
‘Janet has been encouraging him to focus on having fun and see the performance as a celebration more than anything,’ they said.
‘Usher’s first big touring break came when Janet Jackson invited him to open up for her Velvet Rope Tour. He’s always been grateful.’
They continued: ‘One of his favorite Janet tours is The RockWitU Tour because it had futuristic themes and you’ll see a lot of it in the show.’
Janet famously graced the Super Bowl stage with her own set in 2004, however the night is now remembered for her unfortunate wardrobe malfunction during a duet with Justin.
The ‘N Sync star had been a surprise guest and during part of the choreography, he pulled off a part of Janet’s costume – which revealed her right breast adorned with a sun-shaped nipple shield.
The backlash had a striking effect on Janet’s career in the years that followed, and the controversy has long overshadowed her performance on the night.
The hitmaker, 45, will take to the stage at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday night and fans are hoping for a slew of special guests
Usher was famously invited along as the opening act for Janet’s The Velvet Rope Tour in 1998 while his career was still blossoming (pictured together with TLC star T-Boz in 1998)
‘Usher was infuriated when she was embarrassed during her set,’ the source explained. ‘He sees referencing Janet as his way of rectifying what happened.’
Speaking in 2022 about the way opening for Janet back in 1998 helped to hone his skills as a performer, Usher told Complex: ‘[She] taught me how to be a great headliner. Anything I wanted to have onstage she made sure that I had, she didn’t cut my sound short, which a lot of times, you know, artists will do that.
‘They won’t give you the full range of the entire speaker system, because they save it for themselves. She showed me that, if the show is great, people gonna remember the whole experience.’
He continued: ‘People, ‘til this day, come to me and say, “Yo man, it was one of the greatest performances that I ever saw and I didn’t even know who you were. I’m there waiting to see Janet Jackson, and here you go walk out on this stage. This kid who really made me a fan.”‘
Meanwhile, Janet isn’t the only famous friend he has been turning to, with the insider claiming Jay-Z and Beyoncé have also been in contact.
‘He’s always talking to Jay Z and Beyoncé and Jay came to rehearsal a few days ago,’ the insider stated.
After remaining close friends over the years, Usher is set to use his big moment as a chance to show his appreciation to the pop music icon on the world’s biggest stage
Elsewhere, DailyMail.com revealed last year that Usher was desperately trying to convince his protégé Justin Bieber to join him on stage
DailyMail.com has reached out to Usher and Jackson’s representatives for comment.
It’s no surprise Usher has been communicating with The Carters seeing as Jay-Z currently produces the halftime performance, along with his record label Roc Nation.
Elsewhere, DailyMail.com revealed last year that Usher was desperately trying to convince Justin Bieber to join him on stage.
While it is still not clear if his musical protégé will appear, Usher all but confirmed he will be performing with some other famous names.
In his press conference ahead of the Super Bowl, the star claimed he would be a ‘fool,’ to not perform his hit 2004 song Yeah, with the featured artists Ludacris and Lil Jon.
It has been a busy week for the megastar, who is releasing his latest album and has announced a new North American tour.
