Usher Addresses Rumors

(July 13, 2007)—Award-winning singer Usher may have had an album called Confessions, but the singer made it known that he is not ready to open up about certain things in his personal life.

In an “open letter” sent to PEOPLE on Thursday, Usher attempts to clear up several rumors that have circulated on the gossip pages of several New York newspapers and on popular Internet blogs in the past year concerning him and his fiancee Tameka Foster‘s relationship, their upcoming nuptials, and a rumor that he threatened popular radio personality Tom Joyner.

Here is the full text of Usher’s open letter (as posted to PEOPLE):

“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

Credit: Moses Robinson/WireImage.com
The happy couple hit the red carpet at the 2007 Trumpet Awards in February.