Usher has directly addressed audience members who participate in his on-stage performances, issuing a new directive to fans attending his R&B Tour. During a show at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, on Tuesday, the Grammy-winning artist warned potential concertgoers against coming onstage if they are unwilling to fully engage.
"Now before we get started, don’t bring your ass up here if you don’t want to be here," Usher told the crowd, according to video shared online. He added, "God don’t like ugly. But he most certainly don’t feel too good about pretty privilege either."
His remarks come after an incident over the weekend in Nashville, Tennessee, where he removed a female fan from the stage for appearing uncomfortable and disengaged during his performance of “Can U Handle It?”. The fan, identified as Gabrielle Cheyenne, remained stiff and moved away from Usher as he attempted to serenade her.
"I don’t think she want to be on the stage, huh?" Usher asked the audience at the time before signaling for her removal. Cheyenne later stated she had no ill will toward the artist, explaining that she had been moved from floor seats to VIP by his team before the show. She told TMZ that her reaction would have been different had Chris Brown, who is co-headlining the tour, been the performer interacting with her onstage.
Usher's tour continues, with his co-headliner Chris Brown also known for bringing fans onstage for interactive performances. The R&B Tour is scheduled for another show in Birmingham on Wednesday.