See photos of Usher and Tameka »
View photos from Usher and Tameka’s wedding ceremony »
View photos from Usher and Tameka’s wedding reception »
Whoever said love was a gamble with two hearts knew a thing or two about the probability of divorce. Usher and Tameka Foster Raymond are the latest celebrity couple headed for court after less than two years of marriage, according to People.com.
On Friday, the R&B star filed the petition in Superior Court in Atlanta. The night the papers were filed Usher was at Los Angeles hotspot MyHouse enjoying an evening out with friends. The night before Foster was out and about at an Atlanta screening of Eddie Murphy’s latest film, “Imagine That,” with Usher V and her two eldest sons from a previous marriage.
Some might argue that this split was inevitable considering the rocky start of their July 2007 wedding. There was Usher’s impromptu cancellation of their lavish Hamptons, New York, ceremony, which was subsequently followed by a quaint exchange of vows in the Atlanta office of Usher’s attorney in August, and ultimately a blowout celebration with family (Jonetta Patton was not present and many speculate her absence was a defiant sign of her disapproval of their union) and friends later in September.
Despite welcoming their first child, Usher Raymond V, 18 months, in November 2007 and their second son, Naviyd Ely Raymond, 6 months, last December and gracing ESSENCE’s November 2007 cover together, the couple has been plagued with an onslaught of rumors by bloggers and disgruntled Usher fans who preferred that the prince of R&B remain single. Although Usher ditched the Grammy Awards back in February to be by his wife’s side after she suffered a cardiac arrest and a coma was induced while undergoing liposuction in Brazil, the ATL pop star has been photographed about town spending time with Grace Miguel, a Def Jam A&R executive who works closely with Usher’s protégé, Justin Bieber.
Although the blogosphere made claims that the couple had been living a part dating back to the release of Usher’s video for his steamy hit “Trading Places,” a risque portrayal of seductive role reversal that shows Usher and a video model getting pretty intimate, Foster Raymond expressed her unwavering support of her husband’s career.
“My husband is a consummate artist and entertainer,” Foster, 37, told ESSENCE.com last October. “This video is strictly entertainment and was made for his fans. I am clear that he is a sexy man and looks amazing in this clip. I support my husband in his endeavors.”
And Usher has been equally supportive of his wife regardless of the backlash.
“God says the husband is to protect his wife,” he told ESSENCE in November 2007. “My son is my son, and my wife is my wife. When someone has an issue with them, they have an issue with me.”
The irony of it all is that in the fickle entertainment industry where the company and family you keep can make or break you, Usher did his best to be the doting husband and devoted family man but was constantly pressured and crucified for his loyalty. Many believe his lackluster sales for his latest album, “Here I Stand,” were a direct result of his marital status. ESSENCE.com will keep you posted as details unfold.