Justin Bieber speaks out after 'turning down' performing with Usher at the Super Bowl halftime show

Justin Bieber has spoken out after 'turning down' performing with Usher at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 11).

While the main focus is meant to be on the field of play at the Super Bowl, there is no questioning the halftime show plays a huge role.

Over the years, we've seen the likes of Rihanna, Katy Perry and Justin Timberlake headline the show, and this year it was time for Usher.

The 45-year-old appeared to do very well for himself in an iconic Super Bowl performance branded 'one of the best ever'.

Usher was joined by the likes of Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R, Lil Jon and Ludacris, though one face in particular was missing according to some fans.

Many were left outraged and confused that Justin Bieber did not join him on stage in Las Vegas.

Even more so because of the fact Bieber was spotted sat alongside wife Hailey in the audience watching the game and performances from afar.

Usher featured on Bieber's 2010 release 'Somebody to Love' - so with the 'Baby' singer in the crowd, many saw Super Bowl 2024 as the perfect opportunity for the pair to reunite.

"Missed opportunity for Justin Bieber to come out," one X user asked.

"WHERE IS JUSTIN BIEBER?" another added.

Well, TMZ has since reported that Usher had allegedly reached out to Bieber to ask him to be part of the halftime show.

Sources in the music industry told Page Six Usher tried really hard to persuade Bieber to join him.

But Bieber apparently turned down the request, though the source did add it wasn't a result of any 'bad blood' between the music stars.

"Justin just wasn’t up for it - he just wasn’t feeling it," they said.

While he may not have been involved, it seems Bieber couldn't be prouder of his longtime mentor.

In a sweet post to Instagram, Bieber wrote: "LOVE YOU MY BROTHER.

"NOONE CAN SING AND DANCE THE WAY YOU DO.

"LOVE YOU FROM THE DEPTHS OF MY HEART.

"BROUGHT THE 'A' TO THE WORLD.

"ONLY YOU BABYYYYYY 😘."

The 'Love Yourself' hitmaker took a step back from live performances and touring last year after a Ramsay Hunt syndrome diagnosis.

The condition 'occurs when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near one of your ears,' the Mayo Clinic explains.

It adds: "In addition to the painful shingles rash, Ramsay Hunt syndrome can cause facial paralysis and hearing loss in the affected ear."