Fired his mother that is


NEW YORK (AP) -- Usher's mother has been his manager since he was a teen, but now the superstar says he wants her to be just "mom."

The Grammy winner confirmed Monday that Jonnetta Patton is no longer in charge of his career, but denied the break was due to any rift.

"She and I are on great terms and support each other in our life's endeavors. We are both very happy but are now working in different areas of the business," he said in a statement to The Associated Press. "This is great for me because it means I now get to have my mother strictly as my mother with no added pressure." (Watch Usher pay tribute to another influence: James Brown )

Usher said he believed that by ending his professional relationship with his mother, it would bring them closer.

"At this time in my life, I am simply more interested in building the strength of my family. And in order to do that, I feel it's best to separate my business life from my personal life," he said.

This is the second major change this year for Usher, 28. In March, he announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, stylist Tameka Foster.

Rumors have swirled that Foster would replace Patton as Usher's manager, but the singer said: "She has no aspirations of becoming my manager or any other artist's manager."

Usher is slated to release the follow-up to 2004's "Confessions," which sold 9 million copies in the United States, later this year.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

It was bound to happen sooner or later...

Confessions sold 9 millions copies?

sounds like a smart move.

I've heard that folks are very impressed with the mother's management skills. They are thinking about seeing if she will manage Britney.

bellanoche said:

Surprised. It sold 1.5 million its debut week.

Rhondab said:

That would be hilarious to see since Usher's mom is known to literally be "hands on"...

LittleBLUECorvette said:

Yes, I actually am surprised. I don't follow the charts. I guess people really will buy anything. I saw the Usher live concert in Puerto Rico on HBO and that was enough for me to not buy anything from him. He's had some catchy tunes, but a legend he's not.

ABeautifulOne said:

what is hilarious? I missed it.

Aren't there whispers that his mom doesn't want him to marry Tameka? Maybe that lead to the firing.

Rhondab said:

Umm the thought of Britney getting into a fist fight over something with Usher's mom...

ABeautifulOne said:

ohhhhh...ok.