November 15, 1999

by Veronica Mixon

Among the hot young faces in Hollywood, Usher is one of the top African Americans who will excel in the year 2000.

The soft-spoken Usher aspires to be a well-rounded entertainer like the late Frank Sinatra. "He's got the acting thing going, the singing, dance, as well," He explained. "I first became interested in Frank Sinatra about five years ago. I noticed that he had a way with the audience. It was his personality. It was like the icing on the cake. He was like that ultimate performer."

In "LIGHT IT UP," Usher plays Lester, the reluctant leader of a group of students, who angrily rebel after their favorite teacher, "Breakfast Club" star, Judd Nelson is fired. After a recurring role on "Moesha" opposite, Brandy, the 21-year-old actor had cameos in last winter's teen hit, "She's All That" as a silky-voiced DJ and the teen horror film, "The Faculty." Working opposite Vanessa Williams, Forest Whitaker and Nelson, Usher finally gets a chance to exhibit his big screen charisma.

"Acting will broaden my horizons. As an entertainer, I will allow me to assure my longevity in this business," he says. To make sure, he was up to the challenge, Usher worked with an acting coach and learned some important lessons. "My acting coach told me to listen and fill the room, and be very deliberate. Take your time and milk every moment that you possibly can.

"I wanted to do acting. I had done 'The Bold and the Beautiful.' I'd done 'Moesha.' And, I realized that I wanted to try acting, again. So, I was working on getting a film and it was Babyface and his wife producing. It was an easy choice because I already had a business going on with them."

His next film is "Texas Rangers" which he recently completed in Canada with Dylan McDermott ("The Practice") and "Dawson's Creek," James Van Der Beek. His character, Randolph Douglas Scipio insists that he, too, is a Ranger rather than a scout, who the others prefer sending out to face danger first. The film makes a pointed message about race in the 1870s.

"I can hang with the big boys," teases Usher when asked about his co-stars, who invited him to guest star on their respective shows. "Seriously, it was a pleasure to work with them. It was a very easy set. Steve Minor is one of the coolest director that I've ever worked with."

Minor tried to make the actors camp out so they could get in the spirit of the film but they refused. "Calgary is country enough. All you have to do is leave the hotel and have a conversation with someone. I did buy a pair of boots, a couple of big belt buckles and a hat," he laughs. "That's kinda weird for a city guy like myself."

Born in Dallas but raised mostly Atlanta by his mother who also is his manager, Usher's big break occurred when he won a vocal competition on "Star Search" in 1992. His first 1993 album, "Usher" was a modest success but his follow-up album, "My Way" in 1997 went five-time platinum and earned the young performer two Grammy nominations. It also helped him to secure the spot as the opening act on the Janet Jackson, "Velvet Rope" tour.

The popular singer, who usually needs bodyguards to deal with female fans, is currently unattached. "The right woman will come my way someday," says Usher. "I had the opportunity to experience love at an early age. I don't want to go through that again."