When you think about James Corden and Usher, your brain probably goes straight to that 13-minute clip of them driving around Los Angeles. You know the one. It’s got millions of views. But honestly, the relationship between the British talk show host and the R&B legend isn’t just about singing "Yeah!" at the top of their lungs while stuck in traffic. It’s actually a pretty interesting case study in how late-night TV changed forever.
Most people don't realize that their most famous interaction, the 2017 Carpool Karaoke segment, happened at a really weird time for Usher. He was dealing with some pretty heavy legal drama and headlines that weren't exactly about his music. Jumping into a Range Rover with a guy who makes everyone do "jazz hands" was a calculated move. And it worked.
The Carpool That Changed Everything
So, the July 2017 episode. It starts off like any other. Corden is "driving to work" and needs a hand. Usher hops in. They start with the classics. But then things get weird. In a good way.
They didn't just stay in the car. That’s what most people forget. Usually, the bit is confined to the seats, but Usher basically told Corden that you can't truly feel the music if you're strapped in by a seatbelt. They ended up in a parking lot. Why? Because Usher decided Corden needed to learn how to walk into a club.
If you watch it back, Corden keeps trying to turn it into a Broadway musical. It’s hilarious. Usher is there trying to explain the "swag" of a club entrance, and James is basically doing Oliver! choreography.
Cleaning the Star
Then they did the most "LA" thing ever. They stopped at Usher’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
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- The Problem: The star was dirty.
- The Solution: Usher pulled out a cloth and some spray.
- The Reality: Watching one of the biggest stars on the planet literally scrub his own name off the sidewalk while tourists gawked was peak "Late Late Show."
It humanized him. That's the secret sauce of why the James Corden and Usher dynamic worked so well. It took a global icon and made him the guy who cleans his own porch, so to speak.
More Than Just One Ride
Usher didn't just do the car bit and vanish. He came back. Multiple times.
In October 2017, he showed up for a "Sexiest Male Vocalist Riff-Off." This is where things got competitive. It wasn't just James and Usher; Luke Evans was there too. They were battling it out, singing K-Ci & JoJo’s "All My Life."
Corden, being Corden, got way too close to Usher’s face while singing. Usher’s reaction? He told him he needed a Tic Tac. It felt unscripted. It felt like two guys who actually liked hanging out.
The 2020 Return
When the world shut down, they still kept in touch. Usher was the first in-studio guest James had back after the initial 2020 lockdowns. They did this whole bit about being "done with Zoom."
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They even did a musical number about how much Zoom sucks. It was relatable. Usher was also there to talk about his Las Vegas residency at Caesars Palace, which was just getting off the ground. James, ever the "dad" of the group, spent half the interview suggesting baby names for Usher's upcoming child.
He suggested "Late Late Show Corden." Usher, understandably, did not go with that.
Why This Duo Actually Matters for SEO and Fans
If you're looking for the deep meaning here, it's about the "Corden Effect."
Before James took over The Late Late Show, late night was mostly desk interviews. Boring. Safe. By the time he and Usher were pushing a random stranger's broken-down car (yes, they actually did that during the Carpool segment), the game had changed.
The James Corden and Usher partnership proved that fans don't want to hear about an album; they want to see the artist being a person.
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What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of critics say these segments are 100% fake. They aren't. While the route is planned and there’s a security caravan trailing them, the conversations are mostly off-the-cuff.
Usher has mentioned in later interviews that he actually felt a bit of pressure. You're singing your own hits next to a guy who knows every lyric and is hitting every harmony. If you mess up your own song, it’s embarrassing.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're a fan of either of these two, there are a few things you should actually go watch to see the full scope of their "work-friendship":
- The "Club Walk" Lesson: This is the best bit of the Carpool Karaoke. It’s better than the singing. Watch for the moment Usher realizes James is a lost cause when it comes to being "cool."
- The Riff-Off: Go find the clip with Luke Evans. The vocal talent in that room is actually insane.
- The Vegas Discussion: If you're interested in how Usher built his legendary residency, the 2020 interview with Corden is where he breaks down the "why" behind the move.
The era of James Corden on late night has ended, but these moments with Usher are basically digital time capsules. They represent a time when celebrity culture became a little less "red carpet" and a little more "cleaning your own star on the sidewalk."
Next time you're on a long drive, put on the Confessions album. Just maybe don't try the "club walk" while you're behind the wheel.