The R&B star, who just returned to Las Vegas to open his Flipper’s World Roller Boogie Palace residency with pal Liberty Ross, shares what keeps him young
Derek White/Getty; Christopher Polk
Usher
Usher is still on a roll, and appears to have rolled back the hands of time.
The R&B superstar, 46, just made a big return to Las Vegas, where he’s teamed up with model and pal Liberty Ross to open Flipper’s World Roller Boogie Palace, a first-of-its-kind full-service skating rink residency at The Venetian Hotel.
The star, known for skating everywhere from the Super Bowl Halftime stage to his current Past, Present, Future Tour stage, has now successfully helped bring his favorite pastime to the Vegas strip for an extended stay this winter and he couldn’t be happier.
“This is kind of a victory lap for Las Vegas,” he tells PEOPLE at the Flipper’s grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 16. “It really all started with my residency and we had a second residency and we played the Super Bowl. We went to Paris. Now coming back with this tour, I’m in the flow, having a good time, enjoying and doing things that I really love.”
When it comes to the secret behind maintaining his youthful good looks, physique and energetic spirit, “skating has always kept me young,” reveals the star, “and it’s something that I feel is a necessity for youth nowadays. Everybody spends so much time scrolling. We want you to roll, come out, get active, come and have a good time.”
As for roller skating novices, Usher wants them to hit the rink, too. “There’s no judgement here,” he says. “You fall, you get back up. We invite the entire family to come.”
Christopher Polk
Skaters at Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace in Las Vegas
Having skated since he was a kid, the star has a deeper connection to the activity. “It’s a form of self care,” Usher says. “The freedom and expression, I really feel like it’s a language when you get deeper into the cultures of skating for rhythm, period. And people need to understand how fun this really is.”
Christopher Polk
Dr. Dre, Liberty Ross and Usher at Flipper’s Roller Boogie Palace in Las Vegas
Usher hopes he can convince some of his superstar pals to lace up a pair soon. “Dre, Snoop and Pharrell getting out here would be crazy,” he says. “NWA came up through skaters, a lot of those early hip hop bands could only get space to perform in the roller rinks. I can still remember as a kid performing in rinks. It’s always been the grounds for culture.”
And Usher says you’re much more likely to find him at the rink than in the kitchen this holiday season. “I wouldn’t bank on me for your Thanksgiving dinner,” he says with a smile. “No, no. I might be able to do some mac and cheese and a little banana pudding but that’s about it.”