Usher Covers Billboard Magazine; Talks Girlfriend Grace Miguel, Justin Bieber, Album Pushbacks & More [Photo]

Usher graces the cover of the latest issue of Billboard magazine, and inside he opens up about his new tour, new music, and his new-ish love with Grace Miguel.

As you probably know by now, Grace is 44-years-old — 8 years Usher’s senior and the two are pretty private about their personal life.

Usher tells the magazine:

“I have an incredible partner and manager.  She has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life and my career.

She’s someone who has been able to support and understand all of who I am.  Not just as a dancer or as a performer or as a singer, but as a humanitarian and a businessman and as a person.  One thing that has come from having a great partner like Grace is being able to cherish the places that I’ve gone,” he says. “We see the monumental sites, go to the museums, eat in the best restaurants. I’m that guy now! In the past I’d do what I have to do and get on the bus to the next city. Life has become a vacation.”

Check out a few more excerpts:

On pushing his album back indefinitely:

“I just ain’t ready. Meaning I have more that I want to say and more that I want to do. My process is pretty different. L.A. Reid will tell you, it takes two albums to make one with Usher.

Marketing is more important than it has ever been,” he says. “But I’m trying to tear the layers back and make it not so contrived. I think people just want entertainment. For certain artists it might be hard, but they don’t have the show.”

On his fitness regime: 

 “These days, I try to eat for my blood type when I’m not eating for the fat kid inside me,” he says. His blood type? “A doctor I know came up with it, but hasn’t released it yet, so I don’t want to tell you too much about it,” he explains. “But the idea is to eat the foods that work best for your body. For my blood type the meats I can eat are pork, beef and fish.”

On his relationship with Justin Bieber

“Our relationship is more man-to-man now.  He’s making his own decisions and it’s important to show support. I can say I’m not happy with all the choices my friend has made, but I’m supportive of him. I try my hardest to give as much positive reinforcement as I can. I’ll punch him in the f—ing chest when I need to, and give him a hug and kiss when I need to. It’s more than just mentoring. I love the kid.”

 You can read the entire story via Billboard.

[via They YBF]