Usher has landed in hot water after being spotted at a yoga retreat with controversial Hip Hop mogul, Russell Simmons.
Simmons took to Instagram on Sunday (March 3) to share videos from a recent yoga retreat with the R&B icon.
“Morning flow with a bunch of really happy Bali friends the generosity of spirit exuded by my friend @usher was amazing,” he captioned the post. “Fyi people were / are always so happy to be in his presence …so when i / they practice with him its a honor and privilege but the presence and attention he gives to each person is a gift
“its tough to be present with so many of us ‘ fans’ each one of us demanding presence and focus its rare that a person can give so much w/ out it draining his energy …”
He added: “His quote when asked about the energy needed to accommodate so many was God ‘ Its not me giving its God through me so it easy ‘ [heart emoji] this is pure yoga.”
The Def Jam co-founder shared another post that included some photos with Usher and a caption dedicated to their friendship.
He wrote: “When i was at the lowest point in my life i woke up and this man was sitting by my bed .. i had known usher since he was a kid but we really bonded because of our mutual love for self discovery and our belief in Yogic science as a direct route to realizing Gods conciousness in ourselves …
“People remember to remember this ..a friend walks in when others walk out … i will never forget the generosity of spirit i witnessed in this man God bless you baby bro @usher [prayer hands emoji love you !!!!”
Fans were quick to call out Usher for his participation in the retreat, noting that Simmons had been accused of sexual misconduct and assault many times in the past.
The most recent of these allegations arrive in mid-February, when a woman who served as an executive at Def Jam during the ’90s sued the mogul for sexual harassment and rape. Filed under Jane Doe in New York federal court, the lawsuit alleges false imprisonment, battery, emotional distress and a violation of the state’s gender-motivated violence law.
One user commented: “Usher being too close in proximity to Russell and Diddy at this time is not a good look. I can already see how this is going to go and whose next [palm on face emoji].”
Another added: “Ummmm no! @usher we already suspect you down with diddy’s freaky ish. Now you out with @unclerush knowing the allegations against him of underage s.a. [palm on face emoji] ya keep putting it in our faces. It’s time we accept that everything is true.”
A third concluded: “Russell Simmons teaching yoga to a room full of women in Bali is still cringe to me idc if usher joins in!”