Usher Shares Paris Apollo Concert Video Featuring Roses, “Ushbucks” and Sensuality

NEW YORK — The show is starting at the Apollo, and Usher is already in the building.

Usher’s alter ego has emerged to star in the Anthony Mandler-directed concert film “Usher: Rendezvous In Paris,” which will be released in association with AMC Theaters Distribution and premiered Thursday night at Harlem’s iconic Apollo Theater.

“I’m so happy to be here tonight,” Usher said on stage before the screening. “I’m excited, who’s excited? What I really love is the effort of (every) person who had anything to do with this movie, the passion, time and commitment that we all put in, it’s just amazing.”

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The film was shot last year at La Seine Musicale during Paris Fashion Week and “captures the essence” of Usher’s Las Vegas residency, according to a release. Divided into four parts, it cycles through his biggest hits, including “Confessions Part II,” “Love In This Club” and “Yeah!”

“Sometimes we need to take that little space to appreciate each other so we can continue to do great things together,” Usher said. “This is just the beginning. Are you ready?”

The evening was full of adult and sexy moments at the iconic New York venue, which has played a pivotal role in the careers of black icons, including Usher himself, who was honored earlier this year with the Apollo’s Icon Award during the venue’s 90th anniversary celebration.

Red roses graced the entrance and were handed out after the show, along with chocolate-covered strawberries that Usher fed to screaming fans during his time in Las Vegas. Attendees enjoyed Usher-style popcorn, with jalapeños added for spice, and Rémy Martin cocktails with names like “Burn” and “Make It Rain.”

Usher even cheekily recreated Nicole Kidman’s ad for AMC Theaters, weaving in elements of Usherism and reworking some of the ad’s lines: “Somehow, sweaty I feel good in a place where ushers “We feel like heroes,” he jokes. “I brought A to AMC.”

The singer’s famous “Ushbucks,” fake money emblazoned with his face, also made appearances throughout the evening, with Team Usher and the audience throwing paper dollars into the air during the film’s emotional moments. The crowd cheered and sang along throughout the film.

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The 45-year-old singer praised director Mandler and their 25-year relationship, also thanking his family and wife Jenn Raymond “for being the glue that makes it all hold together.”

After the film ended, he took his seat in the audience at the Apollo Cinema, where he was given a standing ovation and chanted his name.

How to Watch Usher: Rendezvous In Paris: Tickets

“Usher: Rendezvous In Paris” will be in theaters for a limited time starting September 12.

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The singer is staying in New York a little longer, swapping Harlem for Brooklyn’s Barclays Center to kick off his tour there. Shows are set for Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

Collaboration: Brendan Morrow

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Usher at the premiere of his Apollo: Paris concert residency film