<p id=”par-1_67″>Usher’s <em>Confessions</em> album is one of the most iconic R&B albums of all time. Released in 2004, it sparked significant fan speculation about its deeply personal lyrics. Many believed the album reflected <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/3-times-usher-warned-sean-diddy-combs.html/”>Usher’s real-life experiences</a> at the time, particularly regarding <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/celebrity-relationships/”>his high-profile breakup</a> with Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas of the R&B girl group TLC. Now, Usher is setting the record straight regarding <em>Confessions</em> and his passionate relationship with Chilli.</p>
<p id=”par-2_89″>The second-best-selling album of the 2000s decade (behind NSYNC’s <em>No Strings Attached</em>), <em>Confessions</em> sparked fan theories regarding Usher’s infidelity <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/dallas-austin-reveals-chilli-of-tlc-left-him-for-usher.html/”>while dating Chilli</a>. Songs like “Confessions Part II” tell the story of a man confessing to cheating and getting another woman pregnant. Certified platinum 14 times by the Recording Industry Association of America, <em>Confessions</em> led many to believe that Usher was unfaithful to Chilli in real life, leading to their 2004 breakup. The speculation only fueled the album’s success. It sold over 10 million copies and <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/usher-thought-career-over-having-emotional-breakdown-stage.html/”>solidified Usher’s status as an R&B legend</a>.</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Usher-Chilli-TLC-2003.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Singer Usher kisses Chilli on the cheek in 2003″ class=”wp-image-3772871″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Singers Usher and Chilli of TLC in 2003 | Frazer Harrison/Getty Images; James Devaney/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_95″>Now, <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/usher-saw-curious-things-living-sean-diddy-combs-age-13-pretty-wild.html/”>Usher is reflecting</a> on <em>Confessions</em> via Audible’s new Words + Music series, <em>The Last Showman</em>. Ahead of its release, he told <a href=”https://people.com/usher-details-relationship-with-rozonda-chili-thomas-audible-last-showman-exclusive-8786643″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>PEOPLE</a>, “There is a great deal of truth in that album,” saying that the storyline of <em>Confessions</em> did happen to him. “Did I have a relationship ever that was exactly what I was saying? Yeah, I did,” Usher stated. “But the reality of where it landed and the expression of what that was about, it wasn’t exactly in order of the way or better yet in the moment when I delivered that song.”</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Usher-Chilli-TLC-2003-Justin-Timberlake.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Chilli with her son Tron sit front row at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta” class=”wp-image-3772866″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Singers Justin Timberlake, Usher, and Chilli with her son at the 2003 NBA All-Star Game | Vince Bucci/Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-4_67″>This backs up what Chilli has said for years. The TLC member has always denied that 2004’s <em>Confessions</em> is about their relationship, which <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/why-did-usher-and-chilli-from-tlc-break-up.html/”>occurred from 2001 to 2004</a>. She even says she “was with him at the studio that whole time.” As Usher reflects on his career on <em><a href=”https://soundcloud.com/audible/audibles-the-last-showman-usher-audio-excerpt-1/s-IBDa6vNIGgl” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>The Last Showman</a></em> with “fresh eyes,” he knows “people had theories” and “rumors were running fast and furiously.” </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Usher-and-Chilli-dating.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Singers Usher and Rozanda ‘Chilli’ Thomas walk past paparazzi at NY Fashion Week” class=”wp-image-3772872″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Singers Usher and Rozanda ‘Chilli’ Thomas at 2002 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and at a 2003 GRAMMY Party | Keith Bedford/Getty Images; Larry Busacca/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_65″>Usher didn’t know that the starpower between himself and Chilli would send fans into a frenzy. “I had <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ushers-tameka-foster-divorce-friendship.html/”>my share of flings</a> and wild experiences with women that orbited my world,” he explained. “But every serious relationship I’d had up until that point, I didn’t know what it was like to be hounded by paparazzi whenever they left my house. And then, I met Rozonda.”</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Usher-Chilli-2003.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Chilli and Usher sit together at a party in 2003″ class=”wp-image-3772867″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Chilli and Usher at a 2003 party | Johnny Nunez/WireImage</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-6_87″>Chilli first starred in his “U Remind Me” music video, which “sparked the flame” between them. She ended up appearing in his music videos for “U Got It Bad” and “U Don’t Have to Call,” too. Usher continued, “We spent time together, got to know each other. At some point, I wanted to <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ushers-tweets-get-deleted-following-diddys-arrest-resurfaced-clips-reveal-brotherly-bond.html/”>share with the public</a> what I had found. This new feeling — it was something I appreciated. I was very proud of us and wanted the world to see the love blossoming between us.”</p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Jermaine-Dupri-Usher-2018.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Usher smiles with Jermaine Dupri and Usher as they smoke cigars at a party in 2018″ class=”wp-image-3772869″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Jermaine Dupri and Usher at a 2018 Songwriters Hall of Fame party | Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for So So Def</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-7_69″>So who is <em>Confessions</em> about? Usher told <a href=”https://people.com/usher-reveals-confessions-storyline-really-happened-to-him-exclusive-8583964″ target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>PEOPLE</a> that it’s largely <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ushers-confessions-jermaine-dupri.html/”>based on producer Jermaine Dupri’s life</a> <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ushers-confessions-jermaine-dupri.html/”>experiences</a> among others. He gathered several male colleagues in the music industry, including Dupri, while creating <em>Confessions</em>. “We were having real talk sessions,” Usher details. “We would sit around and I would say, ‘Yo, check your egos at the door, and let’s just really be honest. Everybody has to speak their truth.’”</p>
<p id=”par-8_18″>Regardless of <em>Confessions</em>‘ subject matter, we’ll always have Usher and Chilli’s iconic early-aughts relationship to look back on.</p>