Usher Sheds Tears During Emotional Acceptance Speech at 2015 BET Honors [VIDEO]
The 2015 BET Honors aired on Monday night (Feb. 23) and Usher was one of the celebrated entertainers, accepting the Musical Arts Award, which was presented to him by one of his musical influences Bobby Brown.
A video montage appeared onstage, featuring words of praise from a host of Usher's peers and mentors including Justin Bieber, Diddy, Pharrell Williams and L.A. Reid, among others. Usher then delivered one of the most moving speeches of the night. "We lack motivation, we lack role models. I was one of those kids who didn't have a father, but my heavenly father was always there," the former The Voice coach said.
He recalled being determined to do something with his life at the age of 13 and the struggle he had trying to find himself. That moment looking back on his childhood allowed him to segue into the singer giving credit his mother, who was also in attendance, for pushing him and influencing him to take music seriously.
Usher also thanked his mentors Jermaine Dupri and L.A. Reid, who have watched him grow up in the industry and encouraged his success. "You do what you love until somebody honors you," he said. The newly engaged "Good Kisser" creator didn't leave the stage without a shout out to his fiancee (and manager) Grace Miguel.
The Usher tribute didn't end there. Trey Songz hit the stage to perform his rendition of "Nice & Slow," Usher's first Billboard 100 No. 1 single, which he released in 1998.
See 20 Rappers’ & Singers’ Yearbook Photos You Won't Believe