Usher presents Paris concert film at the Apollo with roses, “Ushbucks” and sensuality

NEW YORK – It’s showtime at the Apollo and Usher is in the building.

Usher's alter ego starred in the concert film “Usher: Rendezvous In Paris,” directed by Anthony Mandler and released in association with AMC Theaters Distribution, which premiered Thursday night at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem.

“I'm so happy to be here tonight,” Usher said on stage before the screening. “I'm thrilled, who was thrilled? What I really love is the effort of every single person involved in this film. The passion, time and dedication that we all put in is just incredible.”

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The film was shot at La Seine Musicale during Paris Fashion Week last year and “captures the essence” of Usher's Las Vegas sojourns, according to a press release. Divided into four parts, it spins through his biggest hits, including “Confessions Part II,” “Love In This Club” and “Yeah!”

“Sometimes we have to take that little space to appreciate each other so we can continue to do great things together,” Usher said. “This is just the beginning. Are you ready?”

The evening at this famous New York landmark was all about maturity and sexiness and played a crucial role in the careers of black icons like Usher himself, who was honored with the Apollo Icon Award at the venue's 90th anniversary celebration earlier this year.

Red roses lined the entrance and were handed out after the show, along with chocolate-covered strawberries that Usher fed to screaming fans during his Las Vegas performance. Attendees enjoyed Usher-style popcorn, with a side of jalapeños to keep it spicy, and Rémy Martin cocktails with names like “Burn” and “Make It Rain.”

Usher even cheekily recreated Nicole Kidman's AMC Theaters commercial by incorporating Usher-isms and reworking some of the lines in the ad: “Somehow sweaty feels good in a place like this, where usher “I feel like a hero,” he jokes. “I brought the A to AMC.”

The singer's infamous “Ushbucks,” fake money emblazoned with his face, were also on display throughout the evening. Members of Team Usher and the audience tossed the paper dollars into the air during exciting moments of the film screenings. The crowd cheered and sang along loudly throughout the film.

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The 45-year-old singer praised director Mandler and their 25-year relationship and also thanked his family and wife Jenn Raymond “for being the glue that holds everything together.”

At the end of the film, he entered the seats in the stalls of the Apollo and was greeted with a standing ovation and shouts of his name.

How to watch Usher: Rendezvous in Paris: Tickets

“Usher: Rendezvous in Paris” will be in theaters for a limited time starting September 12th.

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The singer will stay in New York a little longer and will swap Harlem for the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to begin his tour. The concerts will take place on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday.

Contributors: Brendan Morrow

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Usher at Apollo: Film premieres during Paris concert residency