Usher, the iconic R&B superstar, has found a way to roll back the years—literally. At 46, the singer has launched Flipper’s World Roller Boogie Palace at The Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. This unique, full-service skating rink residency marks a fresh chapter for both Usher and the Vegas Strip.
A New Chapter in Vegas for Usher
“This is kind of a victory lap for Las Vegas,” Usher shared at the rink’s grand opening on November 16. The event, packed with energy and celebrity guests like Dr. Dre and Dita Von Teese, featured Usher skating through the hotel as fans cheered. Reflecting on his journey, Usher said, “It all started with my residency. We went to the Super Bowl, Paris, and now this tour. I’m in the flow, doing what I love.”
The star, who has integrated skating into performances on his Past, Present, Future Tour, is thrilled to bring his favorite pastime to a wider audience. “Skating has always kept me young,” Usher revealed, “and I think it’s essential for today’s youth. Everyone’s scrolling on their phones, but we want you to roll, get active, and have fun.”
Usher’s connection to skating runs deep. Having skated since childhood, he sees it as more than a pastime. “It’s a form of self-care,” he explained. “There’s freedom and expression in skating—it’s like a language, especially in rhythm skating cultures. People need to understand how fun this really is.”
The rink welcomes everyone, from beginners to seasoned skaters. “There’s no judgment here,” Usher emphasized. “You fall, you get back up. We want the whole family to join.”
As for future plans, Usher hopes to bring some of his superstar friends into the mix. “Dre, Snoop, and Pharrell on skates? That’d be crazy,” he laughed, adding, “Hip-hop started in rinks, and I performed in them as a kid. It’s where culture thrives.”
While he might skip kitchen duties this holiday season—“Don’t count on me for Thanksgiving dinner!” he joked—fans can find him at the rink, skating his way into hearts.