Usher defends intimate hug with Alicia Keys at Super Bowl: Swizz Beatz and I ‘laughed about it’

Usher said he and Alicia Keys’ husband, Swizz Beatz, laughed over the furor surrounding his hug with the “No One” singer.Getty Images

It’s nothing but love.

Usher shot down internet chatter over his tight hug with Alicia Keys during their duet at the Super Bowl 2024 Halftime Show.

Some viewers were irked by the way Usher grabbed the “Fallin'” singer while they performed their 2004 hit song, “My Boo.”

The two performed their hit song, “My Boo.” Getty Images

The “Caught Up” singer told “Breakfast Club” radio show host Charlamagne Tha God on Monday that he and Keys’ husband, Swizz Beatz, had giggled over the furor.

“Absolutely, we laughed about it,” Usher, 45 shared.

“It’s crazy how people think,” he continued. “It’s all about how you present things, man, it’s all about love.”

Swizz also hit back at critics of the performance. Getty Images for Bally

Usher described their fiery duet as “literally about having fun because of a song me and Alicia made many years ago and we celebrate it because of the legacy of it.”

He added that there was “no disrespect” intended toward anyone.

Swizz, whose real name is Kasseem Dean, also hit back at the criticism a day after the Super Bowl.

Usher said their duet was a “celebration” of “a legacy.” WireImage

“Y’all don’t see that amazing dress covering the entire stadium ⚡️🚨😂😂😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨 Tonight’s performance was nothing but amazing with 2 amazing Giants!” he wrote alongside an Instagram carousel of photos of the performance.

The record producer, 45, who has been married to Keys since 2010, concluded his positive message with a plug for his and Keys’ art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum titled, “Giants.”

Keys was the first special guest to join Usher on stage at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. She was followed by a cameo from Jermaine Dupri, who commemorated the 20th anniversary of Usher’s album “Confessions.”

The record producer and Keys have been married since 2010. WireImage

Lil Jon and Ludacris then joined Usher for a rendition of their massive hit, “Yeah!”

One person who didn’t join Usher on stage was Justin Bieber.

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Usher confirmed that he did extend an invitation to the “Baby” singer who nixed it because he “wasn’t feeling it.”

It was certainly a memorable day for Usher, who not only headlined the prestigious Halftime Show but also married his longtime girlfriend Jennifer Goicoechea.

Usher married his longtime girlfriend Jennifer Goicoechea on the same day as the Super Bowl. Marc Patrick/BFA.com/Shutterstock

The couple began dating in 2019.

The following year the music executive gave birth to their daughter, Sovereign.

They welcomed a son named Sire in November 2021.