Internet launches scathing troll campaign against SKIMS' new men's underwear campaign featuring Usher
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA: Ahead of his Super Bowl halftime performance and the release of his ninth studio album 'Coming Home,' Usher was revealed as the face of Skims' new menswear campaign. The announcement, made on Monday, included a special limited-edition release of Usher's upcoming album exclusively on the Skims website. This move was seen as a clever marketing strategy by SKIMS to build anticipation ahead of the Super Bowl. However, it backfired as negative remarks and trolling related to Usher's past herpes scandal flooded the internet, overshadowing the intended positive impact of the collaboration.
It was a no-brainer that Usher faced criticism online due to his past herpes scandal. Internet users called out the brand for selecting someone with a history of STDs to promote men's clothing, leading to negative comments and trolling directed at Usher. This reaction overshadowed the collaboration and raised concerns about the appropriateness of the choice by SKIMS.
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One user quipped, "Does it come with the herps?" Another skeptically remarked, "Don't he got herpes?" A curious onlooker pondered, "Are the STD's included?" while someone else bluntly stated, "All I see is herps." Expressing distaste, a user on Instagram joked, "With all his STDs, no thanks, lmao." A disapproving voice chimed in, "No, put it away, not my cup of tea." Amidst critiques, some lauded Kim for her marketing strategy. "Kim ain’t no fool. u know Kris dished out big money for this," said another.
What is Usher's $20 million herpes lawsuit?
Usher faced accusations in multiple lawsuits of not disclosing his Herpes status to sexual partners. In 2017, a person named Helm filed a $10 million lawsuit, alleging exposure to the virus during a sexual encounter, claiming Usher didn't disclose his condition. She later increased the amount to $20 million, citing emotional harm.
Usher or his representative hasn't issued a statement on the matter. Despite the commonality of Herpes in the U.S., this situation strained his personal relationships. In 2018, Usher and his wife, Grace Miguel, separated after two years of marriage. They mutually decided to split and issued a joint statement, emphasizing their continued deep connection as loving friends, supporting each other in the next phases of their lives.
Usher calls Kim Kardashian a ‘fairy god’
Usher recently collaborated with Kim Kardashian, endorsing her Skims line with racy photos. He shared with Hollywood Reporter that this partnership was inspired by his new album, 'Coming Home,' set to release soon. Usher also mentioned that Kim played a supportive role, describing her as a "fairy god-A&R" who provided valuable opinions on his album.
The collaboration idea originated from a photo in Usher's album cover, featuring a peach in his hand. They shot a reverse version for Skims, starting with the first released photo. Usher explained that supporting Kim and Skims naturally followed his support for the album. To celebrate the album's release, a limited edition, digital download version with an alternative cover and a bonus track titled 'Naked' will be available on SKIMS.com during the first week.
How many times was Usher married?
The singer, who performed at the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime show, has been married twice. His first marriage was to stylist Tameka Foster in 2007, but they divorced two years later. Later, in 2015, he married creative director Grace Miguel, but they divorced in 2018. Usher's current love story is with Goicoechea, and it began in 2019 within the music industry.
Usher and singer Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas made headlines when they were in a relationship from 2001 to 2004. Chilli, known for being part of the group TLC, denies that Usher's breakup album, 'Confessions,' is about her, stating she was with him in the studio during that time. Despite this, the relationship faced challenges due to differences in values and trust issues, leading to their eventual split. However, they remained on and off for years, reconnecting during periods when they were not involved in other relationships.
