Usher and new wife Tameka Foster were surprised when their postponed wedding created a storm of negative stories about the couple, but insist it brought them closer together.

The pair were originally set to marry in a lavish ceremony at music mogul LA Reid’s home in the Hamptons at the end of July but it was postponed just hours before the ceremony. The couple denied cancellation reports for a week before marrying in a private civil ceremony in Atlanta on 4th August and holding an extravagant blessing a month later.

Usher, who is set to become a first time dad next month when Tameka gives birth to their son, told Essence magazine recently: “[The negative stories], it was like, wow. [Getting married] and having a child is something that everyone should celebrate. What’s happened to us as a culture and a people?”

“Ours is not a typical love story, but it is a true one. Tameka and I have been fortunate enough to go through the thick of it in the beginning. We’ve had that opportunity to huddle up as a team, to make sure that we’re clear and speak as one voice.”

Tameka added that even her friends had doubts about their relationship: “Thank God I didn’t listen to my girlfriends. Usher was my road dawg. I’d seen him love, and I’d watched him date women who were not worthy of him. He was so sweet, going out of his way to cater to their every need. And I’d see them not even be grateful.”

“I feel totally uninhibited with Usher. I’ve never been in a situation with anyone, even as far back as high school, where there were no secrets. I know I can tell him anything and he’s not going to judge me. I can finally share my dreams. And because of that, I know that man loves me.”