Usher Reveals His Fun Secret to Staying Young — and Says You Should Do It, Too (Exclusive)

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

Usher attends as VOTE! 2024 hosts "Roll To The Polls" skating event at Cascade Skating Rink on October 16, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia., Usher celebrates the Grand Opening of Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace located at Tao Beach at The Venetian Las Vegas
Usher. Photo:

Derek White/Getty; Christopher Polk

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 TAO Beach, located inside The Venetian Resort Las Vegas.

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. He kicked off the star-studded event by skating throughout The Venetian as guests cheered him on.

"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."

Usher celebrates the Grand Opening of Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace located at Tao Beach at The Venetian Las Vegas
Usher.

Christopher Polk

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."

Stars Dr. Dre and Dita Von Teese turned out for the occasion, joining hundreds of attendees. 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."

Skaters celebrate the Grand Opening of Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace located at Tao Beach at The Venetian Las Vegas
Skaters at Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace in Las Vegas.

Christopher Polk

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."

Dr. Dre, Liberty Ross, and USHER celebrate the Grand Opening of Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace located at Tao Beach at The Venetian Las Vegas
Dr. Dre, Liberty Ross and Usher at Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace in Las Vegas.

Christopher Polk

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."

  • Reporting by Joanese Rayford
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