Usher on Childhood Scents, Oprah's Wisdom, and His Philosophy on Love
Below, he shares the life lessons he learned from his mom—and Oprah, his favorite meal to cook, and how to tell when you really like someone.
Life.
I always think of my childhood when I smell ivy. I love the smell of ivy, and the South has a lot of it. Or the smell of honeysuckle in the summer. Walking through a field of peaches and smelling the essence in the air, and what it felt like to be there. If I'm by the sea, the scent of the breeze. The sweetness of the summer—bubble gum, things like that.
You only have one time to leave a lasting impression. There's the idea of you attempting to be what you think everybody else wants you to be, but the best you you can be is you. It's the importance of integrity. My grandmother, too, teaching me that no matter how long you live, what you do with the time you're given determines how long your impression stays when you're gone. These are things that only a Black woman from the South would be able to prepare me for.
Oprah Winfrey and the fact that she's always used her light to shine light on others.
She's taught me that sometimes we share more than we need to, and not everybody deserves your whole truth right away. Everyone isn't smart as you think they are, and everybody isn't as dumb as you may think they are. So be patient, listen more than you talk. And when you find a wife, you find a companion, you find a queen.
When you start to understand the importance of leaving the seat down, it's a grand sign of love and acceptance. It means you're beginning to transform. You go to the restroom and you start to think, Wait a minute, let me leave the seat down. Now, hmm, why did I start thinking that way? I must like her! Plus, you don't want the other side of it, when she complains about falling in in the middle of the night.
The best way to tell a woman you are sorry is to say it. But the best way for it to have a lasting impression is for her to believe it through your actions.
I'm a breakfast-all-day type guy. I'm Mr. Brinner: breakfast for dinner. I can make fresh pancakes. I make this amazing Tuscan egg toast that I created: I cut out the center of a nice piece of bread—you cut some substantial slices; don't make it super thin. And I bake an egg in the middle of it.
That's easy. Anita Baker. Anita Baker all day. The next one, if you want super cool? Sade. You can't go wrong with Sade, man.
You know what I tell my wife? We ain't gotta go nowhere tonight, because I am the party. Everything you want, you can have right here. You want bottle service, I got you. You want loud music, I got you. You wanna Netflix and chill? I got you. You wanna invite over people and we have game night, I got you. You wanna sit over in the corner and let's read a book, chapter for chapter? Because we do that. We take a book and just read to each other and we share in the knowledge. And if we want to burn a hookah, we burn a hookah. You want me to sing to you? I got you. We can make it all work at home. Everybody can. Not everybody has a pool, but everybody can make a hookah and dance and read a book.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Black America Web
8 minutes ago
- Black America Web
KevOnStage Roasts Everyone On Set And Shares His Biggest Failure
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty When three comedians walk into a podcast studio, everyone on set gets roasted. Kevin Fredericks, known as KevOnStage, stopped by the She Said It First podcast hosted by comedians Jerrilyn Lake (aka IndeskribeaBULL) and Lynee Monae while on his book tour for an unfiltered conversation with jokes, grief, therapy, and more jokes. Kev takes listeners on a whirlwind ride through his life, career, and the lessons he's learned along the way, all wrapped in his signature humor and authenticity. From laugh-out-loud moments to heartfelt reflections, here's a sneak peek into why this episode is a must-listen. The episode kicks off with an unstoppable energy as the hosts welcome Kev with a church-style intro complete with a side of playful grilling about government names and Southern Black Family traditions. Kev's infectious humor shines as he leans into the bit, setting the tone for an episode filled with laughter and candid moments. Speaking of traditions, Kev has had enough with men saying PAUSE but his defense sounds a little pause-worthy. The whole moment is a hilarious conversation about Black men in therapy, manhood, and doing things we like vs doing things men say they like. One jaw-dropping story that had listeners hooked was about Kev's brother-in-law, who made the unlikely transition from the streets of Decatur to managing logistics for Kev's national comedy tour. With humor and heart, Kev reveals how the skills honed in very different 'business ventures' translated seamlessly to the world of showbiz—minus, of course, the police chases. It's moments like these that highlight Kev's gift for storytelling, blending humor with a deeper message about growth, redemption, and the power of second chances. If you've spent any time online, you know trolls are an unavoidable part of the internet. Lucky for Kev, dealing with them has become an art form. From forehead jokes to ridiculous comments from people who, as the hosts puts it, 'look like a rutabaga,' Kev's secret formula involves a mix of love, humor, and just enough pettiness to keep things entertaining. The hosts also chime in with their own troll encounters, making this segment a brutally honest and laugh-out-loud highlight for anyone navigating the internet today. Despite the jokes, Kev's reflections on faith and failure offer some of the most impactful moments of the episode. Sharing candidly about closing of a business venture that was supposed to become a competitive platform for all things entertainment but turned into a colossal mistake 'My superpower is—I just don't stop.' he says, a sentiment that reveals his unshakable determination and belief in his purpose. Whether it's navigating personal grief or professional setbacks, Kev reminds listeners that every 'L' is a lesson—one that can lead to even bigger wins down the road. This episode of She Said It First with KevOnStage is more than just a podcast; it's a celebration of perseverance, laughter, and finding the funny in every corner of life. Whether it's book tour confessions, therapy revelations, or epic roast battles, Kev brings his authentic, unfiltered self to the mic, leaving listeners both entertained and inspired. If you need a good laugh, some solid advice, or just a reminder to keep going no matter what, this episode is for you. Be sure to tune in on your favorite podcast platform. Trust me, you'll want to hear all the punchlines straight from the man himself! SEE ALSO
Refinery29
10 minutes ago
- Refinery29
Is The Bear Committing 'Category Fraud'? Either Way, Ayo Edebiri Deserves Her Historic Emmy Noms
For many TV watchers The Bear and controversial Emmy nominations go hand in hand. For the last few years, every time the show scores Emmys nominations — like this year's 13 nods — the same statement inevitably gets cranked out of the discourse machine: ' The Bear is not a comedy. ' The show has consistently earned nominations and won in comedic Emmy categories, sparking outcry from viewers and critics who ask, 'How can a show about anxiety, trauma, and family breakdowns be a comedy?' But this leads to another question: In an era where genres are constantly being blurred and reimagined, do categories even matter? And further, does this whole debate overshadow artists' achievements? This year, one of The Bear's breakout stars Ayo Edebiri has made Emmys history. She's the first woman ever to be nominated for both acting and directing in a comedy series and she's the youngest Black woman to have earned three acting nominations. She's up for 'Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy Series' and 'Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series' for her directing work on the episode 'Napkins'. While calling The Bear a 'comedy' might be questionable, there's no doubt that Edebiri's phenomenal work, both in front of and behind the camera, deserves recognition — and award wins. That tension between the category and the content has made The Bear a lightning rod for awards discourse and, to be fair, the 'Emmys fraud' debate isn't entirely without merit. There's a long history of shows making strategic decisions to improve their chances of success. At the Emmys, shows can submit themselves to any category they choose, so they tend to pick the one they believe they are more likely to win. Lead actors submit themselves to the supporting actor category or more dramatic shows submit themselves to the comedy categories, bending the rules to secure an award. For example, in 2014, Joe Morton — who played protagonist Oliva's father in Scandal — was submitted for the 'Outstanding Guest Star' award category despite appearing in most episodes that season. It also doesn't help that the Television Academy (who runs the Emmys) used to state for years that comedies were defined as having a run time of 30 minutes. Therefore, a show like The Bear, exploring panic attacks, grief spirals, and high-stakes emotional reckoning alongside lighter comedic moments ended up being classified as a comedy by default because most of the episodes' runtimes fit the comedic categories by definition. They changed these rules in 2021. Comedic acting has historically been undervalued, so when a show like The Bear dominates the comedy category, it raises valid concerns about whether dramas-in-disguise are crowding out more traditional, and equally deserving comedic work. The reality is TV genres straddle a medley of storytelling styles, which is great for viewers who appreciate innovation — award shows need to keep up. Bearing all this in mind, it's difficult not to feel happy for Edebiri — what matters most is her work being recognized. Her work in front of and behind the camera has been exceptional. Season 3 of The Bear often felt sluggish and struggled to find its feet, but flashback episode "Napkins" (Edebiri's directorial debut and written by Catherine Schetina) stood out as a beautiful, tender insight into chef Tina (played by Liza Colón-Zayas) and how she became who is in the kitchen. We see the working-class woman of color, mother, and wife struggle after being suddenly thrust back into the modern LinkedIn-ified world of work, pitted against graduates and younger workers vying for the same jobs, facing endless faux-polite rejections and the immense pressure to continue providing for her family in a job market that doesn't value her. A coincidental but deeply meaningful encounter with Mikey at The Beef helps Tina reinvent herself in the workplace. The Bear tends to veer between unbearably hectic and tranquil; Edebiri shows her directorial chops by directing an episode imbued with that quiet stillness. We see the camera focus on aspects of Tina's everyday routine, and watch as the stability of her life begins crumbling. Whilst this part of Tina's story is sad, she's not a pitiful figure. Edebiri gives the character a sense of fight, determination and dignity despite the anguish. Edebiri has continued to build on her skills in 2025's Season 4, directing and starring in the episode 'Worms' — a tender portrait of Blackness, family, and community whilst also a highly introspective character study. Sydney (Edebiri) is facing a long stretched out dilemma: should she stay at The Bear or leave to join Chef Adam Shapiro's new venture? As Shapiro begins to feel like an awkward mismatch rather than a viable new business partner, it's also the first time we see the show delve more explicitly into racial themes. In the episode, Shapiro doesn't understand that Sydney's hair appointment is likely to take all day, he over-explains why he's blasting an East Coast rap song, and is then surprised when she chooses to put Beethoven on instead. He expects her to "bring in Afro Caribbean influences" to the restaurant, despite the fact we've never really seen her cook that style of cuisine (Sydney is also Nigerian). Later, he asks her if she's seen the Chris Rock documentary Good Hair. He has the air of a 2020 self-described "white ally" who reduces Sydney to her racial identity, putting her in a box and diminishing her humanity. (Predictably, his good nature quickly disappears when he doesn't get what he wants from her later in the series.) ' While calling The Bear a 'comedy' might be questionable, there's no doubt that Edebiri's phenomenal work, both in front of and behind the camera, deserves recognition. ' 'Worms' also reflects the deeply familiar shared experience of Black women getting their hair done: Sydney gossiping hairstylist/cousin Chantel (played by Danielle Deadwyler who is hilarious in the episode), getting her hair braided at home rather than in a salon, the stylist code-switching on the phone then back to her authentic self with Sydney, Chantel scolding her young daughter TJ for talking back. It's a very believable portrayal of a near-universal experience for Black women. The exploration of Sydney's dilemma through her conversation with the much younger TJ is an interesting twist. There's hardly any food in the house, so they go on an impromptu shopping trip, and leisurely make a home-cooked meal; the timer on the oven is stuck at 12:00. Unlike the demands of the professional kitchen, time is suspended and Sydney has the time to contemplate her choices through the simplicity of a child-like metaphor: choosing which house to go to for a sleepover. Getting a glimpse into Sydney's familial relationships creates a contrast with Carmy (Jeremy Allen White), who can't even remember he's now an uncle. 'Worms' demonstrates deftly the tension of choosing between someone who seems "right" on paper (Shapiro) and people who — despite their flaws — feel like home (Syd's coworkers at The Bear). Edebiri's ability to convey that tension in her meandering dialogue, wide eyes, pauses, and sometimes unconvincing justifications for why she's still at The Bear is outstanding. Comedy or drama, The Bear's writing, storytelling and directing is warm, grounded, realistic and brings us back to the heart of the show: food. The Bear is often far more interested in the personal and the micro, than the political and macro, but to me it has always quietly reflected a truth about multi-racial America, particularly for working-class people. People from different backgrounds work, socialize and care about each other. The Bear restaurant is often referred to as a family— albeit a chaotic one— and that extends to something very true about people in America more broadly, contrary to the story that more Conservative power holders want to tell. In a wider landscape of ICE raids and other racially hostile policies, the quiet politics Edibiri skillfully and convincingly teases out feels important.
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Piers Morgan accuses Joy Reid of playing ‘race card' in heated exchange over MSNBC firing
Joy Reid and Piers Morgan had a heated exchange on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' Thursday when the host disputed her claim that she was fired from MSNBC for being a Black woman. 'Joy, I mean, let's be honest. I don't think you were fired after all those years because of your skin color or because you're a Black woman. I think you were fired because your show just got increasingly unpopular,' Morgan said. Advertisement Reid's MSNBC show 'The ReidOut' was canceled in February as part of a larger shakeup at the network. Her show had struggled to attract ratings, averaging only 973,000 total viewers in February 2025 compared to 1.3 million during the same month in 2024, marking a 28% decline. Reid has maintained that her show suffered smaller declines than other MSNBC shows, and she didn't understand the reason for the cancellation. When Morgan asked why she was playing 'the race card' instead of acknowledging that rating struggles were behind her cancellation, an incensed Reid shot back at Morgan that he was 'fixated on trying to racialize conversations.' 'I love the fact that your 'play the race card' is your version of the race card. You literally are so fixated on trying to racialize conversations with me, Piers, I actually find it quite charming,' Reid said before she was cut off. Advertisement 4 Joy Reid and Piers Morgan had a heated exchange on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' when the host disputed her claim that she was fired from MSNBC for being a Black woman. YouTube / Piers Morgan Uncensored 'You racialize more conversations in your tenure at MSNBC than any host in history,' a peeved Morgan interrupted while Reid continued to speak. Reid's show was known for her controversial and often racially charged views, especially directing scorn towards Black Republicans and conservatives. She called Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas 'Uncle Clarence' due to his conservative views. Advertisement 4 'Joy, I mean, let's be honest. I don't think you were fired after all those years because of your skin color or because you're a Black woman. I think you were fired because your show just got increasingly unpopular,' Morgan said. YouTube / Piers Morgan Uncensored 4 'You racialize more conversations in your tenure at MSNBC than any host in history,' Morgan interrupted while Reid continued to speak. YouTube / Piers Morgan Uncensored Reid claimed in 2021 that Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., was only present at a GOP press conference to provide a 'patina of diversity.' The former MSNBC host also called Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fl., the 'Black guy the Republicans love to roll out' in 2021. Reid previously told podcaster Marc Lamont Hill that being a 'Black woman' made White viewers 'angrier' when they objected to some of the controversial views she shared on her program. Advertisement 'You take an entire conversation I had with Marc Lamont Hill and pick the bits that you can racialize because this is your schtick,' Reid told Morgan. 4 Reid's MSNBC show 'The ReidOut' was canceled in February as part of a larger shakeup at the network. Getty Images for ESSENCE 'You racialize everything Joy, come on… It's not my schtick, it was your schtick, but people got bored with it,' Morgan shot back. The former 'ReidOut' host went on to say that Morgan, a 'White European,' had a double standard for when 'people of color' discussed race. Morgan and Reid's interview was contentious throughout. At another point, Morgan confronted Reid at length over her blog controversy, where homophobic posts from a Florida-based blog she had resurfaced in 2018.
