Usher premieres Paris concert film at the Apollo with roses, 'Ushbucks' and sensuality
NEW YORK — It's showtime at the Apollo, and Usher is in the building.
Usher's alter ego came out to play in the concert film "Usher: Rendezvous In Paris," which was directed by Anthony Mandler and will release in partnership with AMC Theaters Distribution. It premiered Thursday night at the iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem.
"So happy to be able to be here tonight," Usher said on stage before the screening. "I'm fired up, who fired up? What I really love is the effort (of) each and every person that had anything to do with this film, the passion and time and commitment that we all put in is nothing short of amazing."
48 hours with Usher:Concert preparation, family time and what's next for the R&B icon
The film was shot last year at the La Seine Musicale during Paris Fashion Week and "incorporates the essence" of Usher's Vegas residencies, according to a release. Broken into four parts, it cycles through his biggest hits including "Confessions Part II," "Love In This Club" and "Yeah!"
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"Sometimes we have to take that small space, to be able to appreciate each other so we can continue to do great things together," Usher said. "This is only the beginning. Are you ready?"
The night leaned heavily into the grown and sexy at the famed New York landmark, critical in the careers of Black icons including Usher himself, who was honored earlier this year with the Apollo's Icon Award at the venue's 90th anniversary celebration.
Red roses dotted the entrance way and were given out post-show along with chocolate covered strawberries, which Usher has been known to feed to screaming fans at his Las Vegas residency. Attendees enjoyed popcorn Usher's way, complete with a side of jalapeños to keep things spicy, as well as Rémy Martin cocktails with names like "Burn" and "Make It Rain."
Usher even cheekily recreated Nicole Kidman's AMC Theaters commercial, mixing in Usher-isms and reworking some of the lines in the ad: "Somehow, sweaty feels good in a place like this, where ushers feel like heroes," he jokes. "I brought the A to AMC."
The singer's infamous "Ushbucks," faux money emblazoned with his face, also made an appearance throughout the night, with Team Usher members and the audience throwing the paper dollars into the air during hype moments of the film's performances. The crowd whooped and sang along at top volume throughout the entirety of the movie.
Usher grinds on tour:Here's how he really does it
The singer, 45, praised director Mandler and their 25-year relationship, also thanking his family and wife Jenn Raymond "for being the glue that makes it stick."
He made his way onto the floor seats of the Apollo at the film's conclusion, met with a standing ovation and chants of his name.
How to watch 'Usher: Rendezvous In Paris': Tickets
"Usher: Rendezvous In Paris" will have a limited run in theaters starting Sept. 12.
Usher setlist:All the songs on his innovative Past Present Future tour
Usher concerts in New York: Past Present Future Tour hits the Big Apple
The singer is staying in New York for a little longer, trading in Harlem for Brooklyn's Barclays Center to kick off his slate of tour dates there. Concerts are set to take place Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.
Contributing: Brendan Morrow