Despite going through a public divorce and custody battle, singer Usher Raymond is admitting that he has no regrets about getting married.
In an interview with O Magazine, the 35-year-old singer opened up about his failed marriage, saying that getting married at 28 years old was his "best" mistake. Usher married girlfriend and wardrobe stylist, Tameka Foster, in 2007, but the couple later divorced in 2009.
"Most people probably think I regret it because I ended up getting divorced, but it helped me learn that sometimes I think I know more than I actually do," Usher said.
After they separated, they battled over the custody of their children: 5-year-old Naviyd and 6-year-old Usher Jr. During a court appearance, Foster accused her ex-husband of using his fame to keep the children.
Foster filed a request for emergency custody after learning that the couple's eldest son was hospitalized, after accidentally getting stuck in a drain while swimming in a pool at his father's house. Usher was reportedly not home during the incident.
The "Good Kisser" singer was eventually awarded custody of both of his sons.
Usher, who is set to release his next studio album "Everything You Can Imagine" in September, discussed the importance of family, and added that his favorite traditions with relatives are having family reunions, or what he calls "red-cup celebrations."
"Everybody's hanging out on the lawn, drinking out of those plastic cups, eating fried chicken and dancing to loud old-school music," Usher said. "Sometimes the simpler the celebration, the better."
The former Voice coach also revealed that the best advice he received was from the late James Brown, who told him "If you stay ready, you ain't gonna get ready," right before they performed together at the 2005 Grammy awards.
