Usher’s latest confession: the wedding’s off. While word leaked earlier this week that the Grammy winner and his longtime girlfriend–and soon baby mama–Tameka Foster were due to tie the knot in a Hamptons ceremony Saturday, on the morning of the big day, Usher’s publicist confirmed that wedding bells would not be ringing.
“It was announced today that the wedding ceremony for Usher Raymond, IV and Tameka Foster was canceled,” publicist Patti Webster told the Associated Press. “No additional information will be given regarding the circumstances of the cancellation, but we hope the privacy of this matter will be respected.”
The union was due to take place at the home of record executive LA Reid and, per People, between 70 and 100 guests were expected to attend. According to Life & Style, fellow R&B crooner Robin Thicke was scheduled to perform at the reception.
While no reason was given for the sudden cancellation, it’s long been rumored that Usher’s mother, Jonnetta Patton, was less than keen on the match and in the days leading up to the nuptials, it was even reported that she and Usher’s godfather, actor Ben Vereen, were taken off the guest list because of their protestations to the marriage.
In May, Usher cut professional ties with Patton, who had served as his manager for the length of the 28-year-old’s mega-successful career. He denied rampant reports that the axe came down after his stylist fiancée, 36-year-old Foster, had expressed interest in becoming his manager. The same month he also amicably split with his publicist of nine years, Simon Smalls.
However, just two weeks ago, the mutliplatinum singer took the time to address the rumors swirling around his relationship with Foster. In an open letter written to People, he denied that the older woman was controlling his life.
“I am happy, excited, completely clear and independent on my direction, feelings, decisions and I am NOT BEING LED,” he wrote to the magazine. “Some media and bloggers have been totally intrusive, they have misconstrued aspects of my personal life and, because of this, my ‘true’ fans are not sure about what is fact and what is fiction.”
“There is a difference between stating an opinion versus drawing a conclusion that is incorrect.”
Whatever the reason for the wedding cancellation, while Usher may not be a husband any time soon, he still has another major title coming his way: father.
In June, the then-happy couple announced that they were expecting their first child together this fall.
“We are extremely excited at this point in our lives planning our wedding and the joy that comes with expecting our first child together,” the couple said in a statement at the time.
The couple made the first of their big announcements in February, albeit not quite so formally. While the “Yeah!” singer was collecting a Spirit Award at the NAACP Theatre Image Awards, Foster was among the names on his thank you list, and he referred to her during his speech as his fiancée.
The couple had dated for nearly a year and a half before the betrothal but knew each other for much longer. Foster had worked as Usher’s personal stylist for five years.
The wedding was set to be Usher’s first trip down the aisle. It would have been the second for Foster, who was previously married and has three children with Noontime Music cofounder Ryan Glover.
It is unclear whether Usher and Foster remain a couple.