Usher serves up a hearty helping of scintillating for ESSENCE Magazine’s Sexiest Man of the Moment issue.

Armed with the momentum of his spectacular touchdown at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show, the R&B royal revels in the title bestowed upon him by publication with a scorching shoot.

Beyond stipping down for the hyper-hot spread, Usher opens up in earnest about various corners of his life – from health and wellness to family to what folk can expect on his upcoming tour.

Full story below…

On yoga being one of the secrets of his pristine appearance, the hitmaker said:

“I make it a practice to wake up every morning at six or seven o’clock, no matter where I am. I have a few places that I go that reserve a back corner for me, where nobody notices. And typically, in these rooms, it’s pretty dark—so you don’t really see who’s there until they turn the lights up, and people realize, ‘Oh, wait a minute, is that who I think it is?’”

Speaking on his goal at this stage of his career, Usher added:

“I’m hoping that I can be a staple—in the same way Prince was for me—for the young people who are coming up after me. The same way that Michael Jackson and Bobby Brown and New Edition, and all those incredible performers of the past, were for me—I’m hoping that I can be the same for them.”

On Family Life, the performer shared:

“I’m cooking breakfast for my babies; I’m changing diapers; I’m reading at bedtime. ‘Seven o’clock on the dot’ has obviously changed into something other than the drop top. For my older boys, I try to help them understand their homework. I don’t get it as much, and I think that is hard for me, honestly. But I do take the time to make them, and make it, a priority, and I do try to understand.

Sovereign has her time, Sire has his time, Naviyd has his time. And Usher— Cinco! He doesn’t like to be called Usher. Sometimes he wants his own identity. So Cinco, he has his own time. And they all like different things.”

Continuing, Ush – who is gearing up for a mammoth arena trek with his ‘Past Present Future’ tour – said of his approach to shows these days:

“I try my hardest not to miss anything, and to give people an incredible show that they’ll remember.” 

Concluding on what keeps him inspired, the 45-year-old said:

“The opportunity to do something new, to introduce and try and experiment and create yet another experience that no one has had—while actually keeping youth and energy around me, to inspire me—that’s what keeps me young,”

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Adrienne Raquel / Essence]