Justin Bieber has addressed the speculation surrounding his absence from the Super Bowl halftime show, where Usher took the stage on Sunday (February 11).

While the Super Bowl primarily focuses on the game itself, the halftime show holds significant cultural weight, with past performances featuring icons like Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Justin Timberlake. This year, it was Usher’s turn to headline the show, delivering what many considered to be one of the best performances ever.

Usher, joined by Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R, Lil Jon, and Ludacris, delivered an iconic performance. However, some fans noted the absence of Justin Bieber, especially considering Bieber’s past collaborations with Usher, notably their 2010 hit “Somebody to Love.”

Despite Bieber’s presence at the game alongside his wife Hailey, he did not make an appearance on stage. Reports from TMZ suggest that Usher had indeed reached out to Bieber to invite him to join the halftime show, but Bieber declined the offer. Sources in the music industry emphasized that there was no animosity between the two artists, stating that Bieber simply wasn’t feeling up for it.

In a touching Instagram post, Bieber expressed his admiration for his longtime mentor, praising Usher’s talent and influence. He wrote, “LOVE YOU MY BROTHER. NO ONE 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 😘.”

Bieber’s absence from the Super Bowl stage comes amidst his decision to step back from live performances and touring last year due to a diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome. This condition, which affects the facial nerve near the ear during a shingles outbreak, can lead to facial paralysis and hearing loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.