Las Vegas Weekly

February 9, 2009 · 8:47 AM

Mystery surrounds Usher’s whereabouts — maybe Brazil?

By Robin Leach

Usher and his wife, Tameka Foster, share a laugh.

Photo: Michael Train/Getty Images

Mystery surrounds the exact whereabouts of superstar singer Usher this morning after he vanished from Las Vegas this past weekend and canceled Grammy appearances in Los Angeles. It’s rumored that he’s flown to Rio de Janeiro with a top Hollywood doctor to be with his wife, Tameka Foster, to solve a medical crisis of “cosmetic surgery complications.” Rumors that she had died following plastic surgery have been firmly denied.

It’s believed that the Cedars Sinai Hospital specialist is a top neurosurgeon capable of dealing with “plastic surgery gone wrong.” It’s said that Usher chartered a private plane for the flight to South America for Dr. Gabriel Hunt.

Usher was due to attend the pre-Grammy party of record mogul Clive Davis on Saturday night in Beverly Hills. However, Clive told the star-studded guest list that a “family emergency” had derailed Usher’s appearance and that he was coping with “a serious illness.” Clive told the shocked guests that both Usher and his mother had called to cancel the rehearsal and performance due to the illness. Singer Josh Groban substituted for Usher.

Photo: Erik Kabik/Retna/www.erikkabikphoto.com

Usher, with wife Tameka Foster, played NYE 2008 host at the Bank.

Then last night at the Grammy ceremony, the mystery deepened when Usher said he would be unable to attend the biggest night in the music business. Usher has spent most of the past month since celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Bank in the Bellagio recording his sixth album at the Palms with producer Jermaine Dupri.

Usher, 30, and Tameka, 37, his former stylist and now manager, are parents of two young children, 15-month-old Raymond V and newborn Navy Ely. They were married in August 2007. He has been in Vegas for most of the past 30 days, except for flying to Washington, D.C. to perform with Shakira and Stevie Wonder in a Lincoln Memorial concert for the inauguration of President Obama.

Usher, who is a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers, has been seen all over Vegas since starting the Palms recording studio sessions, and Vegas Deluxe has pictured him at nightclubs and restaurants all around town.

UPDATE: It was confirmed moments ago (9 a.m.) that Usher has arrived in Brazil and is at the hospital where his wife is recuperating from the plastic surgery complications. "He is at her bedside, and she is recovering comfortably. They ask for privacy at this difficult time," said his New York press representative.

There is no word on how long the couple will stay in Brazil or when they will return to the U.S.

We extend our best wishes to him during this emergency and wish his wife a speedy and safe recovery.

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