Usher Speaks Out on the Rumors About His Relationship

In an open letter to fans, the singer says he is "not being led" by his fiancée

Photo: John Spellman / Retna

In an open letter to PEOPLE, Usher is speaking out about the rumors surrounding his relationship with and upcoming wedding to Tameka Foster, with whom he’s expecting a child in the fall.

One issue: The report by the New York Post’s Page Six that the couple are planning to marry at the end of July in the Hamptons. Usher, 28, won’t divulge a wedding date, saying, “Since my wedding day will be special to Tameka and I, this is information that we would like to keep private.”

Another topic is radio host Tom Joyner’s claim that Usher threatened him. According to the New York Daily News, Joyner said Usher threatened to “whup my a–” after he joked about rumored tension between Foster and Usher’s mother. Says Usher, “I have never threatened or harassed anyone from any media format.”

Finally, he wants to make it clear that Foster, 36, is not running his life, as some bloggers have speculated after Usher fired his manager mother, Jonetta Patton, and publicist. But Usher insists: “I am happy, excited, completely clear and independent on my direction, feelings, decisions and I am not being led.”

The full text of Usher’s letter follows:

“It has already been announced that I plan to marry this year. However, since my wedding day will be special to Tameka and I, this is information that we would like to keep private. It’s disturbing that the media and bloggers (under the guise as ‘fans’) continuously speculate on the personal aspects of my life, therefore making assumptions and wrong insinuations that my fans are subject to believe.

“I am happy, excited, completely clear and independent on my direction, feelings, decisions and I am NOT BEING LED. Some media and bloggers have been totally intrusive, they have misconstrued aspects of my personal life and, because of this, my ‘true’ fans are not sure about what is fact and what is fiction. There is a difference in stating an opinion versus drawing a conclusion that is incorrect.

“As previously reported, I have NEVER threatened or harassed anyone from any media format – print, radio, television or Internet media. At this point the best thing to say to my fans is just because it sounds enticing and it MAY sound ‘true,’ that does not make it truth. I understand the fact that I must sacrifice some anonymity for the career I love, however some things are personal like having a child or a marriage. These aspects are not for the public and, to me, are sacred. I would hope my privacy in these areas would be respected.”
– Usher