Usher’s ex goes Upscale AND after online haters
Usher and Tameka Raymond.
Atlanta pop star Usher Raymond’s soon-to-be-ex-wife Tameka Foster Raymond took to Twitter Wednesday afternoon to combat the haters after excerpts from her upcoming cover story in Upscale magazine were posted on celebrity blog sites.
Tweeted Tameka to her 28,000 followers on the popular social media Website: “Be sure and read [the article] in its ENTIRETY not the ‘chopped and screwed’ versions on the Web.”
Some critical online bloggers appeared to initially zero in on Foster Raymond’s comments about her looks in Up Scale: “I understand where all the negativity comes from,” she tells writer Isoul H. Harris in the mag’s September/October issue. “Unfortunately, I think that some black women are subconsciously not in love with the image they see in the mirror. Therefore, in turn they do not love someone like me. I look too much like them. They would definitely have preferred my husband marry someone more exotic looking. I was not given a fair shot. People passed judgment without getting to know me. How can you get the entire concept of who I am from a blog?”
Quotes out of context aside, the cover story is quite complimentary to the celeb stylist (Buzz Central was emailed an advance copy of the entire article Wednesday).
But there’s plenty of juice too.
Discussing the end of her marriage (Usher filed for divorce this summer in Fulton County Superior Court), Foster Raymond explains: “The dissolution of a marriage is always upsetting. You have the expectation that it will work. But, you know what? It didn’t work. But he’s a great guy. I will always love him.”
She also discusses that recent Twitter mishap intended as a direct message to Star Jones that was accidentally posted publicly on the Website. Buzz readers will recall that Foster Raymond asked Jones for a referral to replace her “horrible” lawyer.
Explains Foster Raymond in Upscale: “I have several attorneys and I was asking if she knew one locally. I had all of my attorneys scared. I did not designate that I was talking about my divorce attorney.”
Perhaps not coincidentally, however, last month Foster Raymond quietly replaced Randy Kessler, the Atlanta attorney who had been handling her case. with B.J. Bernstein, according to an e-mail Bernstein sent to us.
The September/October issue of Upscale is due on news stands later this week.
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2009 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
59 comments Add your comment
DW
September 2nd, 2009
5:03 pm
Forget about skin tone and looks! How about people didn’t like the fact that Tameka left her 3 sons and husband to be with Usher?
Cosign
September 2nd, 2009
6:28 pm
Co-signin’ with DW- she did do that. Forget playing that skin tone race card.
The Truth 2009
September 2nd, 2009
6:29 pm
I find it sad that Hollywood and the media seem to promote Black men and White women as if thats the new standard for good looks. The Jews promoting interracial dating really hurts the black community instead of helping it. Never before did black men leave over 70% of their kids with no fathers.
Personally ive dated several beautiful black women, and they clearly prefered white men because lets face it….. most of the young black men out there want to be more like 50 cents worthless azz than to be a standup man like Obama.
Black Women are the new leaders of Black families as well as the Black churches. Clearly their men have fallen behind. I find alot of black females very sexy and intelligent, while alot of black men clearly lack in the IQ and morals department. I mean who kills a helpless old lady over $2?? The same race of men that also make Femicide one of the top killers of black women is who.
KLP
September 2nd, 2009
6:30 pm
Thank You DW !! And please don’t forget the criminal record. I am so tired of her “I’m a victime because I am a dark skinned Black woman routine.” You were a golddigger who robbed the cradle, committed adultery, and got knocked up to get a check. Your two minutes of fame are over… Please move on
Terri
September 2nd, 2009
6:46 pm
DW you hit the nail on the head!!!!!
heather
September 2nd, 2009
6:47 pm
Honestly Tomeka did you really love Usher or what he could do for you??? You see its not that you have haters that look like you just some of us that questioned your motives as a wife/mother with husband number one ???
One more thing 4 1/2 kids later were you thinking of them or were you being selfish than too???
SECURING YOUR FUTURE!!!
Keisha
September 2nd, 2009
6:50 pm
And coincidentally, the new husband (Usher) left her with 2 more boys adding to the group. Tragic, she obviously have issues all of the bloggers are not lying about her!!!
amazen
September 2nd, 2009
6:56 pm
Tomeka, I for one am not upset with your looks- ( your “looks” are fine) you think maybe people are upset about you leaving your other kids and first husband to follow after Usher?? not your looks sweetie- your actions as a mother.
PI
September 2nd, 2009
6:59 pm
The marriage was doomed from the start! Talk about an odd-ball couple…GEEEEEZZZZZ!
DT
September 2nd, 2009
6:59 pm
Who cares??
Carolyn
September 2nd, 2009
7:05 pm
Tomeka never thought about your kids or the man you left for usher.It’s not about your skin color, it’s about your greed.you,wanted fame and fortune not anything else.
Macho Dance Observer
September 2nd, 2009
7:07 pm
Well, she was smart enough to ditch Randy Kessler and his firm.
Karina
September 2nd, 2009
7:11 pm
Her looks weren’t the problem. The fact that she was a married, mother of three, cradle-robbing gold digger WAS the problem.
tara
September 2nd, 2009
7:14 pm
Tameka is right. If she weren’t dark skinned, she would not have gotten all of the negative feedback that she received. I think it is really unfair, considering that Tameka is very pretty in her own right. People, specifically blacks, need to stop the self hatred and embrace our unique beauty.
Shirley "Smith
September 2nd, 2009
7:22 pm
Tameka Raymond, you are a beautiful black woman. Keep your head up to the sky and let the haters hate, that’s their job. I was hoping that the divorce was a farce. Stay hopeful and live your life with your children and family.
Love the Smith Family
OH PLEASE!!!
September 2nd, 2009
7:25 pm
I totally agree that Tameka was securing her future as a priority and not her children or ex. She made sure she pushed out that second one although Usher and her marriage was long over. The dark-skinned card is soooo played!! Beautiful black women come in all shades, and sizes!! Face it Tameka its not the skin tone you are just not attractive and your attitude is worst!! You are not entitled to respect!! Try carrying yourself like a true lady. Seems to me you arent happy with your skin due to all the reference to it and who does liposuction so soon after giving birth and in an unsafe country. Point blank with Usher as your husband you arent hurting for money, sounds like insecurity to me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nuphaz2
September 2nd, 2009
7:28 pm
People get most upst about the truth being put out about themmore than lies. Truth hurts Tameka
Thatsme
September 2nd, 2009
7:34 pm
Sorry Tameka, the reverse psychology is not working. If I were to believe everything I’ve read in the media, which I don’t, then I would think you are the one with self-hatred and insecurities, not to mention bad judgment and an opportunist (aka gold-digger). To leave your family to chase after another man, getting knocked up, going off and have surgery that almost cost you your life, lying to the doctors and not tell your husband where you were going and for what, almost making all of your children motherless, all because you felt threatened and were insecure about yourself and had no confidence in the man you married. Don’t put that on dark-skinned sisters having self-hatred. That was all your doing, because of your own self-hatred.
I agree with Tameka
September 2nd, 2009
7:35 pm
I agree with Tameka. Everyone doubted their marriage from the beginning, and made her out to be some horrible woman without really getting to know her. I believe that if Usher had married someone exotic and maybe more attractive to the media, then everyone would have been rejoicing. Because of her look and background, she was immediately looked at as someone he needed to get rid of fast. I feel for both parties including the two children who are a result of the marriage. Divorce is not something people should take lightly. Go ahead Tameka. I hear what you are saying.
Skee Wee90
September 2nd, 2009
7:49 pm
I agree with DW Tamekia was a gold digger, and a real woman wouldnt have left there kids for a man, please your looks dont have nothing to do with it, Hell she was too old for him anyway, he should have stayed with Chilli atleast she is a real woman and take care of her son.
STAR
September 2nd, 2009
8:01 pm
Tameka you had a second baby and run off to Brazil to get surgery. Your insecurities are very vivid. How many surgeons did you pass getting to Brazil? You wanted to keep it on the DL and almost died. Focus on your kids and not getting a ring from another man. The moral of this story is 1,2 of 10 babies/kids does not keep a man. Usher is in France living it up and enjoying the single life.
Momma said that there would be days like this and she was 100% correct.
One other thing being a woman does not make you a lady. So many get this confused.
I wish you and your boys the best.
"KyKy
September 2nd, 2009
8:20 pm
Hey tam I don’t care how many people try to give your nobody. Bad body self a titlew your not a star
Get off the camera and. Go raise your children,we don’t like you because real recognize reall and baby I don’t ssee you.
Phoenix
The Lies 2009
September 2nd, 2009
8:40 pm
“Truth 2009?” Hardly. Your comments are nothing but out and out bigotry and racism. Shame on you.
Happiness
September 2nd, 2009
8:42 pm
I wish you all the best and hope the two of you can be good parents and friends. Who would not love USHER? People just hating because he did not chose them. I hope who ever he marry is a beautiful BLACK women. You are pretty as you are. Go get your other boys and live happily. Don’t worry about the haters in the world. If they could have married him, they would have. Oh, one more thing please no more babies and no baby mama drama. You have class please keep it that way.
Don't hate me cause I'm beautiful
September 2nd, 2009
8:51 pm
What a world. You’re damned if you do..damned if you don’t. Tameka..folks from the outside always think they know what’s going on in someone else’s house…until you tell them. Most women..especially Black women love garbage and drama talk as long as the talk is not about them. I personally believe it’s in their nature. Advice…don’t give these haters any ammunition because most of them are lonely, mad and bitter…and looking to keep up mess.
JB
September 2nd, 2009
9:11 pm
Usher is so childish and immature! for starters! I have found him to be very egotistical. I hope that this experience of having himself a starter wife will cause him to be a better man and father in the future. just because you are rich, does not make you a model husband! Tameka Foster made some bad choice’s and decisions but marriage is about hills and valleys. In sickness and health. Good and bad. so just because Usher wants out because it is conveniet does not make it right.
Usher is a good entertainter but he is no different from any of the other rich celebritites who think that they can have whatever women they want for the minute and when the thrill is gone then so are they.
Usher be a man and support your wife and put your own selfiish, fleshly needs and desires aside for once!
and I say this with no angry but sincere love! peace
BrwnskinBeauty
September 2nd, 2009
9:15 pm
Yeah, the truth hurts. And that can go both ways. Whatever her intentions were, who are we to judge when we don’t really know her personally? How she handles her love/family life may be foul, but if she was up to our Beyonce/Kimora Standard of beauty, we probably would’ve been over it. She’s not lying. Black men love the closest thing they can get to a white woman until they can get…a white woman. And because of this, black women want to be anything but black women. When you see her you see a BLACK woman (yourself) and you hate it.
david
September 2nd, 2009
9:19 pm
Tameka’s skin tone had nothing to do with people not liking her. Scandalous people are just hard to like.
RC
September 2nd, 2009
9:25 pm
Sorry, Tameka, there are no haters in this situation. Just the truth. I have read all of the comments and I have to agree with them, all except one, (I agree with Tameka). The thing you did was selfish. You only thought of yourself. You were not concern for no one else. I don’t see any haters. Just people that are saying that because of women like you, the good women that are real women don’t get a chance to experience having a good man in their lives to experience real happiness. Because the good men have been burned by gold diggers.. So the women that mean good don’t get a chance to prove that they can add to a good man’s life and not to take away from it. When you love someone, you come into the man’s life being honest, straight forward, and you come being an asset, and not a liability.
Marsha
September 2nd, 2009
9:25 pm
Tameka-forget all of the information you’re seeing here. No one can live your life for you, but you. It’s so easy for people to ‘log on,’ pass judgement, ‘log off’ and go back to their lives. At the end of the day, you have to deal with yourself and the decisions you’ve made. I wish you nothing but the best and hope that you continue to draw nothing but positive energy from the appropraite places and people who matter!
silky82
September 2nd, 2009
9:45 pm
Please give it a break with the “hater” comments. Tameka put her business out there when she was married and Usher’s hair stylist while he dated Chili. She knew all along what her motives were. Most people red, black, yellow or white at one point in their lives have motives that don’t come out as you had hoped.
She neeeds to get out of the spotlight, get some spirtual or mental counseling and think about the welfare of her children.
Women we can be content without having a man in our life. Be happy, have fun and when it is time, God will get you two together.
Why does society think so bad of black women. Tameka you really have some deep rooted issues that you need to get resolved. Maybe in childhood you were puicked on because of your dark complexed skin but it’s not that this time.
Tameka be truthful to yourself and look at your past actions and learn from them so that you will never ever do this again. Those actions are what have people blogging about you.
Admit to youself you had motives. The first step to healing is admitting you have a problem. You are too old to play the race card. When you were doing your celebrity clients hair did the race card come up?
In The Now
September 2nd, 2009
10:03 pm
Doesn’t matter the color of whom ever. DO THEY MAKE YOU HAPPY? I’m a black man, and I don’t care the color. If you are cool then lets do this. I date all races and proud of it.
Simpson Road Scholar
September 2nd, 2009
10:16 pm
DW preach!!! Let me add, that she was also a cougar. What about lying to your man about the plastic surgery? What about hmmmm the money you’re asking for? Why not just leave with what you had?
fed up
September 2nd, 2009
10:33 pm
I wonder how many twitter followers she would have if she wasn’t married to usher..
Taurus
September 2nd, 2009
10:43 pm
Another golddigger that got over. When are you rich cats going to see through the b.s.?
aldga
September 2nd, 2009
10:43 pm
Girl, you are beautiful just the way you are! Just pray for the haters and keep on moving!
Taurus
September 2nd, 2009
10:51 pm
They should adopt a golddigger law. Law 1764 Section A. You leave the marriage with what you came in with. If you stopped working upon marriage, then you are entitled to what you were making plus 4% inflation mark up each year you were married and wasn’t working.
Law 1764 Section B. If you cannot afford to take care of the children without financial help, than the children should be awarded to the parent who has the financial abaility to support the children.
originalwoman
September 2nd, 2009
11:01 pm
Brwnskinbeauty. Genetically why would any black woman want to be white, or any other race? Black people are the original people. Nothing would make me wish that i was white.
Amara
September 2nd, 2009
11:16 pm
DW is absolutely right..its not the skin tone I have a problem with..its the character
Trish
September 2nd, 2009
11:38 pm
Usher looks like a pip squeak aka a little boy. That’s why people cant see them together. And why do you all blame her for everything?
Another example:Nick and Mariah
Tina
September 2nd, 2009
11:43 pm
NEXT!!!!!!
mamaj
September 2nd, 2009
11:44 pm
What p—–me off more than anything, is the lengths that the AJC goes to, to make any story about any Black celebrity’s fall from grace, or whatever, a blog. They know exactly how to make every bigot in town tune in and stir the pot. If you didn’t know–now you know!
Simply the Facts
September 3rd, 2009
12:23 am
The most disappointing aspect of this story is that one more couple is getting divorced. Tameka and Usher are both to blame for entering a union without realistic expectations.
In my humble opinion, UR should not have married this woman simply because she was carrying his child. He should have had a man in his life explain to him what marriage is and what it is not.
Tameka, as the older party, should have exercised wisdom since she was divorced and UR had never been married. The marriage fell apart because both parties were immature and did not truly appreciate how a good marriage works.
Tameka can dismiss the haters all she likes, but she’s wasting her time. Stop trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cents and just do you. Tameka, folks will hate on you until you die, but they cannot stop you from living unless you let them. Focus on healing yourself and raising your children. This too shall pass. Next time you get married, don’t be so hasty…relax and let the man come to you. Remember, women are not supposed to chase men, men are the hunters so let them catch you in the act of living your life.
I hope UR learned that his mother does know what she is talking about and that if your mother does not like your jump-off, baby mama, or wife then chances are your realtionship will fail.
Fay
September 3rd, 2009
3:16 am
She always did look like his “Big Aunt Buelah” not wifey material more “auntie”
deepthroat
September 3rd, 2009
3:47 am
I think she’s beautiful,but i also belive if she was really comfortable in her on skin why all the fake weave,surgery etc.,you’ll never be 20 again so move on.
GG
September 3rd, 2009
9:39 am
I think many people had a hard time accepting Tameka was because of all the baggage that she was bringing into the marriage. This had nothing to do with her looks, (which by the way I think she is beautiful), skin color, or age.
Liz - NY
September 3rd, 2009
9:54 am
pathetic
Needed an Incubator
September 3rd, 2009
10:03 am
I never really believed there was a “love” marriage. Usher wanted to be a dad and paid for it with someone that he knew he was not going to stay with. Tameka, I have to respect you for not telling his truth. Too bad everyone is hating on you for it.
Musykluvah
September 3rd, 2009
10:13 am
Would u look at all of these glass houses! We all can have our opinions but at the end of the day, judge not lest you be judged.
Sandra
September 3rd, 2009
10:45 am
No it’s not your skin color that’s the problem, it’s the fact that you were so-called friends with Chillie and Usher and then you get with him soon after. Then you want people to give you a chance? You took your chance now your time is up.
BigDaddyCane
September 3rd, 2009
11:03 am
I saw Usher and Tameka in a Best Buy in the past year, she was all over him in the store and it was just unbelievable to watch. Usher looked like someone had wrapped a chain and a cinder block around his neck and he couldn’t get it off. He looked so uncomfortable with this PDA and she just kept doing it while walking around telling everyone how much she loves him. He didn’t look too much in love then and it’s obvious now.
Dark and Beautiful
September 3rd, 2009
11:26 am
‘Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful’, don’t worry, we won’t because obviously by your comment, there is nothing beautiful about you. How dare you rant about black women living for drama. You do not know anything about black women so my suggestion to you is to mind your business. We are all on the outside looking in and from the looks of things, this woman seized an opportunity to cash in. End of story. Now the love affair is over and it had nothing to do with looks. It had everything to do with the fact that this was not a love affair. And for the record, EVERYONE, regardless of race, thrives off of this nonsense. Don’t lump black women into your racist undertones. You don’t know my nature. I am quite happy, successful and very much in love with a wonderful man, as are many of my friends and acquaintances. Get a life.
atl1netime
September 3rd, 2009
12:13 pm
Normally I direct my blog comments to Falcons blog sites due to the fact I am a die hard Falcons fan but in this case I will have to make an exception. Being from Atlanta and since this is a daily story here you cannot help but be bombarded with media opinions of any Atlanta celebrity. I do personal security here in Atlanta for some of the stars and I truly believe that light skinned….dark skinned….thin….fat…..black….white….all that is over-rated. Personally I believe if you are a black woman that believes that light skinned or as close to white is what black men want I say that may be the black men in your life because I think men in general are all over the map as to what they are attracted to. Some like big women…some like thin….some like long hair…short hair……I mean whatever. Just as you cannot make the statement that all black women are gold diggers…..you cannot rationalize that most young black men want to be more like 50 cent or want black women as close to white as possible…its just not an accurate statement. As we are all raised differently we have different expectations as to what a mate for us should look or act like. Lastly my beautiful black women of Atlanta…the only one you should ever be in competition with is yourself in my opinion…..if you meet the men whom you say want a black woman as close to white as possible and that is a problem for you……move on ….I promise there is someone out there who will love you for you.
Get Real
September 3rd, 2009
12:16 pm
She was a COUGAR whose sex appeal was not strong enough to keep her younger man at home. Karma can be a B$&##. If you play the game you sometimes have to deal with the consequences. Now it appears that Usher’s Mom was correct about the relationship from the beginning. Another example of “Mamma knows best”!!!!!
So Tired of B on B Racism
September 3rd, 2009
12:23 pm
I am so tired of this black on black racism! It’s NOT about light-skin or dark-skin, it’s about the “LIGHT of your spirit” with-in! Wake-up people, Chili is darker than Tameka – and we adored Chili and Usher together. It’s unfortunate that a lot of black women don’t know the depths of their own power & beauty, a lot of us think it begins & ends with our skin complexion. LOVE-RESPECT-PEACE to ALL
Southern Girl
September 3rd, 2009
9:13 pm
Damn people…sooo many opinions….tell you what Mrs. Foster-Raymond: spend as little time as possible dealing with the unimportant opinions of people who don’t know you and never will. Enjoy your life living in homes these haters will NEVER experience living in, drive/ride in cars they will NEVER drive or ride in and travel the world and expose your children to a lifestyle these haters and their kids will NEVER experience. Send them to the best schools money can buy and MOST importantly, keep yourself and your sons rooted in the Lord….you’ll be just fine. Smooches!
E
September 4th, 2009
7:20 am
Tameka, if you’re waiting for self-hating black folks to give you any support, you’ll be waiting forever. Black folks only support black men with so-called flaws or imperfections (where’s the outrage about OJ, RKelly, Steve McNair, Ne-Yo’s comment about light-skinned kids being cutest, Young Berg’s ‘dark-butt comment) black women who look like us get no passes. Black folks love women like Kimora Lee Simmons (out of wedlock baby with Djimon, while still getting divorced from Russell), Halle (Only while she was getting her ass kicked by no-good ‘brothas’, now that she has that fine ass white model they are hating on her too) and Rihanna (green eyes, racially ambiguous looking, except the hate she got when mentioning she was open to Shoa LeBouf and other white guys, then all of a sudden Chris Brown was kicking HER ass. See my pattern? Black people have no room in their hearts to be happy for a woman like you. They would hate you even if you married Usher with no kids, they would call you a gold-digger even if you were a lawyer or doctor because Black folks don’t like to see dark-skinned women have ANY-thing good. Look how they’re treating Kelis now because she asked for child support for her less than one-month old. The dumb black meNBA and NFL black men divorce white women and give over half their FUTURE incomes but a black woman with a newborn should get out an work. See my pattern? No other famous black man in American has marred a woman with Tameka’s phenotype (black, not biracial or biracial-looking) in 20 years! And pls do NOT bring up Denzel and Samuel L’s wives as the two tired examples. The black community is deadly cruel to dark-skinned black women and then tell us it’s in our heads and that we are just jealous of light women and have low self-esteem. If that’s true, it’s only because light skin and racial ambiguity are highly prized in black women (and don’t bring up the 80s when El debarge and Prince were cool. I am sure Wesley Snipes was never rejected for being dark by any black woman). Dark-skinned women have much lower social value. So you’ve had two divorces and some kids. Nobody bashed white women for that. I am glad you see this for what it is but don’t expect the majority of black folks to own up to their gendered colorism.
blogger
September 4th, 2009
8:10 am
Didn’t Usher know she was married? Seems to me, bedding a married woman is pretty bad judgement too, no matter WHO you are..
Yvonne C.
September 6th, 2009
10:27 pm
Tameka, many of these women who hated you did so because Usher was their fiance “In Their Heads.” You took what they thought they could get and they would have did the same thing to Chilli had she married him. Black women are considered as “gold diggers” while others are considered as the prize. Some black women don’t know that their being pimped by the urban media. When was the last time that they saw a model in the videos who had brown or dark brown skin hue?(…birds chirping!) I thought so!They need to grow a conscience because they have none. No reciprocity from black men, they’ll spend their last dimes on entertainers who don’t even marry, date or even consider them as possible mates.Look at who they choose. Are you still willing to provide them with a plush lifestyle while you are not considered as deserving of one? Think before you spend and if they don’t promote your imagery or a truly diverse imagery, stop buying their products.