The relationship between Justin Bieber and Usher has always felt like one of those rare, bulletproof Hollywood mentorships. Usher didn't just "discover" Justin; he fought for him, mentored him through the messy teenage years, and basically stood as the big brother figure for a kid who became the most famous person on the planet overnight.
But lately, the vibe has shifted.
If you’ve been paying attention to the headlines over the last year, things feel... different. We went from rumors of a massive Super Bowl reunion to social media "unfollows" and a conspicuous silence that has fans scratching their heads. People are asking: did they have a falling out? Is it about the industry drama? Or is Justin just moving on?
What Happened to Justin Bieber and Usher at the Super Bowl?
The most public "wait, what?" moment happened in early 2024. Usher was headlining the Super Bowl LVIII Halftime Show—the biggest stage on earth. Everyone, and I mean everyone, expected Justin to come out for a "Somebody to Love" remix.
He was in the stadium. He was sitting in a suite with Hailey. The stage was set.
Then the show ended, and Justin never touched the mic.
Usher later kept it classy, telling The Breakfast Club that he definitely reached out to "his brother" and that there was "no love lost." He basically said Justin just wasn't "feeling it" and wanted to tell a different story with his career right now. But let's be real: you don't turn down the Super Bowl just because you're tired. It signaled a deeper shift in how Justin views his public life. He’s done with the "pop star" obligations.
👉 See also: Who Is Edie Falco Married To: The Truth About Her Private Life
The 2025 "Unfollow" Heard 'Round the World
Social media is usually a playground for over-analysis, but in January 2025, Justin did something that actually felt significant. He unfollowed Usher on Instagram.
He didn't just stop there, though. He did a massive "digital house cleaning," cutting ties with his long-time manager Scooter Braun and several other figures from his early career.
It feels less like a specific "feud" with Usher and more like Justin burning down the old version of his life. He’s 31 now. He’s a father. He’s been through hell with his health—specifically that terrifying battle with Ramsay Hunt syndrome that left half his face paralyzed back in 2022.
When you go through something that makes you question if you'll ever smile or perform again, your tolerance for "industry politics" drops to zero.
Why the Diddy Drama Clouds the Narrative
You can’t talk about Usher and Justin without mentioning the elephant in the room: the legal storm surrounding Sean "Diddy" Combs. Because Usher was famously mentored by Diddy, and Justin was mentored by Usher, the internet’s conspiracy theorists have gone into overdrive.
Some fans speculate that Justin’s distance from Usher is a way of distancing himself from that entire era of the music industry.
While there is zero factual evidence linking Justin's "unfollowing" to the Diddy investigation, the timing has made people nervous. Honestly? It’s more likely that Justin is just tired of being a commodity. He spent his childhood being managed by everyone around him. Now, he’s standing on his own.
Legal Headaches and Catalog Sales
There’s also the business side, which is rarely pretty. Even in 2026, old ghosts are still haunting them. A massive $10 million copyright lawsuit involving their hit "Somebody to Love" has dragged on for years, with claims that the song lifted parts from a version by two Virginia songwriters.
While these things are usually handled by lawyers in dark rooms, it’s a reminder that their professional lives are still tangled up in a way that’s hard to untie.
📖 Related: Who Is the Mother of Isabella Strahan: The Truth About Jean Muggli
Where They Stand Right Now
- Justin’s Health: He’s still prioritizing his well-being. The Justice World Tour was officially canceled because his body just couldn't handle the pressure.
- The Friendship: Usher insists they are solid. He even predicted Justin would headline his own Super Bowl one day.
- The Silence: Since the birth of his son, Jack Blues Bieber, Justin has almost entirely stepped away from the spotlight.
It’s easy to want drama. It’s easy to assume there’s a massive "feud" because they aren't posting selfies together. But the truth is probably more mundane: people grow up.
Justin is no longer the 13-year-old kid Usher found on YouTube. He’s a man who has seen the darkest parts of the music industry and decided he’d rather spend his time at home than at a rehearsal for a show he doesn't want to do.
What This Means for the Future
If you're waiting for a collaboration, don't hold your breath for 2026. Justin is in a "rebuilding" phase. He’s replaced his entire business management team and is reportedly looking to take more control over his finances and his image.
The mentor-student dynamic has reached its natural conclusion. Usher did his job—he helped create a superstar. Now, that superstar is choosing to be a person instead.
If you want to stay updated on what's actually going on, look at the credits. When Justin finally drops his next project, see who's listed as an executive producer. If the "usual suspects" from his past are gone, you'll know the break was permanent.
For now, the best thing to do is respect the distance. Justin has been vocal about his mental health struggles, and if "stepping away" from Usher and the old guard is what keeps him stable, that’s a win for him as a human, even if it’s a bummer for the fans.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Monitor Official Channels: Follow Justin's official social media for health updates rather than relying on tabloid speculation regarding his Ramsay Hunt recovery.
- Verify Legal Claims: If you see news about the Diddy or Usher lawsuits, check the actual court filings rather than TikTok "explainer" videos, which often conflate unrelated events.
- Support the Music: Both artists have deep catalogs; if you miss the "Somebody to Love" era, the music is still there, even if the personal dynamic has evolved.